To Whom It May Concern:

        I am a 29-year-old single parent of three children, ages 9,3,and 1 year old. I became involved with Drug Abuse Prevention Center September due to my drug addiction. At the time, CPS had custody of my three children, one of whom was born positive for methamphetamines. When I came to DAPC for an assessment, I did not believe I had a drug problem. In the beginning, I fought treatment and all help, because of my denial.

After being involved with the STARS program for about one month, my addition became clear to me, I knew I was an addict, and then I accepted help. Within three months of treatment, I got full custody back of all three of my children. After having my children back for 7 months and being totally clean and sober,CPS closed my case. I continued being in total compliance with my treatment and started enjoying the STARS program, totally committed to it. And took advantage of all the tools I had learned.

The benefits I received from the STARS program was learning how to cope with problems in a positive way, increasing my self-esteem, and education on the disease of addiction and how drugs affected every area of my life. STARS provided an environment for me to become comfortable to share and talk about my past, future, fears, feelings, and my addiction.

I graduated the STARS program two months early, due to my personal growth and taking advantage of all the skills I learned while in treatment. I have the opportunity, as a graduate of the STARS program, to come back to group and share my experience, strength, and hope. I know I am a woman with integrity, a good role model for my children and other addicts who are trying to get clean. Currently, I have 14 months clean, living in an Oxford house with all my children, highly involved in a 12-step program, holding service positions with 12-step and Oxford, and giving back to the community on a daily basis.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a 38- year – old married woman of two children, ages 12 and 7 years old and I have 13 months clean. I became involved with Drug Abuse Prevention Center November 2003, due to my drug addition and mental health issues. I had previously gave temporary custody of my youngest son to my sister, because the city shut off all our utilities, no money for food or rent. And we were being evicted. My husband and I moved in with other addicts and our addiction increased. My drug addiction greatly affected my mental health to the point where I attempted suicide. I had previously stopped my mental health counseling and medications. Then, we were arrested for possession of methamphetamines and identity theft; I was put into jail and my husband placed in prison. After getting out of jail, I started using methamphetamines again. I finally seek treatment and was sent to inpatient where I was unable to handle this type of structure due to my mental instability and my denial about being an addict.