Shannon's Story

I am writing this to let you know of my deep appreciation for your part in my recovery from Meth. In early March of 2004, I was arrested by the police behind Taco Mac in Douglasville. I was strung out and couldn't have weighed more than 100 lbs., yet I continued to feed my habit with what I now see as one of the deadliest and most destructive drugs that we know of today. At the time I didn't realize that as a Meth Addict I was looking for a way out, but couldn't come to that conclusion on my own. I knew of the repercussions that could arise but I was so overcome by the addiction that I could not see. I remember that I did have moments of clarity where I would want and seek help, but that would only last a few days or weeks and I'd be right back at it again. So when I was finally arrested, and I laid there in the parking lot, I remember think ing "thank god it is over", because I know it was Him doing for me what I could not do for myself.

I am not a very spiritual person, but I know the signs when I see it and this drug is the Devil, so in a way I believe He is using you guys to try to get to the people through Him. So I was able to go into treatment after my arrest and it was the best thing for me, however I was still called to do time. I served 16 months of my life behind bars for my addiction, but it was the best thing that has ever happened to me, just as I can say that my arrest is the same.

I've been home almost a year now and can't begin to express my thanks and gratitude.

Something was said to me after my arrest that will and has stayed with me to this day.
An officer asked me at the time "Are you sorry for what you did, or are you sorry that you got caught?" Of course I said (crying my eyes out) "I'm so sorrry for what I did", but that is not what I was thinking at all. I was thinking "That's a bunch of crap, I'm just sorry you got me". But now 3 years later I can honestly say that I am so very sorry for what I did, and so very thankful that I was stopped when I was, because I truly believe that my life was saved that day.

Respectfully & with my deepest thanks,

Shannon Herman