How many can say that?
The men and women in the HARP (Heroin Addiction Recovery Program) at Chesterfield County jail are normal people like you and me. They are sons, daughters. They have aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, and children who are showing signs of addiction. They have a disease called addiction and they volunteered from this program and they desperately want to stay in recovery.
After speaking to the women, to whom I was privileged to address, Sheriff Leonard asked me to speak to the men. So I did!
Men and women told their stories of suicide attempts and regrets for having hurt their families. They expressed shame and gratitude. They were open about their feelings and do public speaking at events and local high schools, too.
There is compassion, respect, hope, support in this jail– an attitude you would not expect in the criminal justice system. This model is so successful, it’s being copied throughout the country and Sheriff Leonard has become something of a celebrity and not just a local one.
If a program like this is not in your neck of the woods, please bring it to the attention of someone. Because this program rocks and it works. (Statistics below.)
This young lady is 23 years old and her mother wrote the book below about suffering the addiction of a child which she has shared with her friends at the HARP pod. I loved talking to them and hearing their stories and I think I will be getting some of their stories!
(Get the book: Runaway with my heart )
I should have sat for this photo (the one below), too. I then had a webinar presentation with a Rotary club in North Texas in the evening so it was a long day. But a damn good one.
You can check out the statistics to date on this program. Amazing results shared with my heroin task force by Dr. Gay, a physician at the jail.
I’m not sure what the white figures are. I go the the meetings but cannot remember. I hope it’s not that they died. But clearly the program has some good results.
I’ve now spoken about suicide/addiction/mental illness at jail, NIMH, chambers of commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, women’s groups, nonprofits, medical conferences, high schools, YMCAs, business groups, colleges, donor events, trauma informed groups, suicide prevention groups, grief groups, author groups, support groups, military bases, mental health symposiums and conferences, addiction rallies, political panels, worship leader groups and legislatures.
No one enjoyed jail, but you are amazing.
So glad you were able to visit and speak with these young men and woman. You met my daughter (the pic of you and said 23 yr old). It helps me to know that their are kind and compassionate people out their listening to her and others.
Your daughter is so lovely! And she has shared your book with everyone there and shared a nice note with me. Send a link to your book so I can post it underneath in case people want to buy it! This is where you will find a lot of compassionate people on this subject. Thank you for your kind words.
This is so great. I am glad you were able to hear them. At the root don’t these people just want to be heard and have compassion and love??
I have been in jail to visit others children struggling with this disease. And my own as well.
Looks like you have a lot of new friends!
And I shared your comment Leigh! It was appreciated. I think they need to know that a segment of us do understand.
I’m so happy your day was a great success! And you got to speak to the men too! Wonderful… Can’t wait to read some of their stories here on emotionallynaked.com. I hope this positive part of the Chesterfield criminal justice system restores a bit of your faith in it after Charles’ horrifying experience with them. Thank you for being a light, a beacon of hope, to these beautiful souls fighting for their lives. ❤️
Voice was shot and today I will be quiet to rest it. And looking forward to these stories. And it does help to see change and it needs to leak out into the police academy. Hopefully