My friend Alexis Merritt shared something on the Do It Fir Shelby Facebook page that her son Drake wrote. Drake has been struggling with heroin addiction, a brain tumor and the legal system. Right now he is sober and at a sober living home. We are all praying he takes this opportunity to reinvent himself and go forward into a new life in recovery. Drake's Poem: I've tried so many times, to believe my own lies. Looking in the mirror with dilated eyes, trying to live but living

Bradford Health Services has been successfully treating people with substance and alcohol addiction for 40 years. They have programs that treat the underlying factors, grief, chronic pain, and trauma, that lead to substance and alcohol abuse without using mood altering substances. Regional Director Debbie Coy, LMSW and Community Representative Robin Morgan believe in Bradford’s 12 step method, and that is why they are proud to be a part of the Bradford Health team. Debbie and

Oxford Treatment Center is the flagship treatment center of American Addiction Centers and it is AAC's most recognized facility. AAC has 35 facilities across the nation. They are self pay and take commercial insurance, however, Angela Quadrani, a treatment consultant for AAC, is dedicated to help anyone in need, regardless of financial status. Angela and AAC do not turn anyone away in need of treatment. You can reach Angela at 901-484-1929 or the 24 hour hotline 866-53SOBER (

This story is surreal. I have a ten year old son, so my heart aches for this family. How can we rid this nation, this world, of this horrible, awful demon? Please read about Alton Banks who was an innocent victim in this epidemic caused by vile human beings trying to make a quick buck. Please Lord God in Heaven take away the horrible people, the drug dealers, drug manufacturers and people proliferating poppy farms that are causing all of these deaths. http://wreg.com/201

I'm going to be updating resources on the site real soon. If you are a subscriber, follow on Facebook and/or twitter and are a part of a treatment center or know of someone who is part of a treatment center in the midsouth (TN, MS, AR), and want to be added to the resources section, please contact me at doitforshelby@yahoo.com and give me details. Also included in updates, I want to give a little background info along with a contact name and number to go with each resource li

My heart is full of gratitude, humility, joy and love. I have had a few folks reach out to me lately. One woman (now a good friend) reached out for advice because I inspired her. Another woman reached out because she wants to hear my story, my journey that led me to sharing and spreading addiction awareness. Still another woman reached out because she saw the resources on this website and wants to be a part of the message. I am so overwhelmed with joy at the moment, reflect

After reading this woman's story, it shook me to my core. It affected me almost as much as the moment when I learned about Shelby's fatal overdose. I felt her pain in such a way that sometimes I feel no one can understand. Alas, I know there are several people who completely understand this pain. Please check out her story and help us to keep spreading the word. https://carolineshonesty.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/love-in-a-time-of-heroin/

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only grieving parent in the universe. I'm sure a lot of grieving parents feel that way. As I read this article, I thought to myself, 'YES! I want to talk about Shelby! I want to tell you whatever you want to know!' Talking about him helps him to stay alive in my mind. I am still his mother, he is still my son. I hold on to things he wrote and made to prove he existed. I talk with his friends and recount good times with them. It is so very impor

Making money off of other people's misery is evil. Promising addicts sobriety while making money off of them is diabolical. Yet again, this particular situation in the fight against opioid addiction has left my heart hurting. This must stop! Please read about the fate of Peter SanAngelo, who was a victim of "patient brokering." http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/08/statopioid/tS5LOG86odKWCXtL4rEgoO/story.html More articles about patient brokering

Please, if you have any info on this story, please come forward. If you don't have any info, please share and keep sharing. This woman was a mother, a daughter, a friend, a cousin. She deserves justice. Just because she struggled with addiction does not mean her death (possibly murder) should go uninvestigated. From a grieving mother, please help this family find closure. http://m.wmctv.com/wmctv/db_401748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=udQJe21M