My name is Diana and I’m a recovering heroin addict. I haven’t used any drugs or alcohol since 2/19/91.

I began using Alcohol, Marijuana and Pills at the age of 14. At the age 16, I was pregnant and did not use anything for the time, which was surprising to me. I had my daughter when I was 17.

I started to use again in my senior year of high school, this time it was Heroin IV use. I ended up dropping out. I moved out from home and things got out of hand really quick. I started breaking the law in and out of jail and got charged with four felonies.

At the age of 35 everything stopped, they were not playing with me. I was getting charged with a 4th habitual and the crime that I just committed, but the judges saw something in me and asked what I was going do about my drug use. I said I didn’t know how to do the right thing anymore. I needed to learn how to live without drugs. He said that he would get me the help I needed and sentenced me to treatment for two years.

Upon completion, I graduated from treatment and worked at Pall Corp for 15 years. I had that job until the plant closed. During that time I was very active in the recovering community. I’ve been going in the jail to attend meetings for about ten years.

Today, I maintain a job at a treatment program as a residential aid and resource specialist in the jail program, giving back what was freely given to me. I have my family back in my life, and I went back to school to get my high school diploma.