TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Molly is 24-years-old. She is articulate, has a big smile and was in college. She is also a recovering heroin addict.
“I was using every day. I got sick without it and I would do anything to get it,” said Molly, who asked that we not use her last name.
She is now on her last day of a drug treatment program at Turning Point of Tampa.
“I kind of thought of myself, I was like a low-life junkie now because I was using,” said Molly.
She says the treatment program is helping her.
“It’s definitely helping, more than I could like, ever imagine,” said Molly.
A commission is calling on President Trump to declare the opioid crisis a national health emergency.
Every day, more than 140 Americans die from a drug overdose.
Robin Piper with Turning Point of Tampa points out that Molly may not look like the face of heroin addiction to many people, and that’s why many people may not be aware of the crisis.
“I think a lot of families out there may have addicted loved ones and they just don’t know or they don’t know how bad it is,” said Piper.
Declaring the opioid crisis as a national health emergency could help bring federal dollars to treatment centers like Turning Point.
“I think federal funding will help, depending on where they put the money. I think people need treatment and they need good treatment,” said Piper.
Follow Jeff Patterson on Facebook
STORIES OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON:
- Tropical Storm Emily weakens to depression over central Florida
- Tractor trailer hanging over guardrail shuts down I-4 at I-275 in Tampa
- Judge calls for charge upgrade against man arrested for stalking at Tampa Bay Comic Con
- Tampa boy, 4, dies after gun he found discharged
- Police: Florida woman brought 10-year-old along on armed robbery
- Winter Haven police officer arrested for having sex with minor
- VIDEO: Valet punched outside Fort Lauderdale resort
