Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Pepin.
Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am in Recovery myself. Both of my kids were struggling with substance use. My daughter will be celebrating 12 years in recovery in September and my son. Ian, passed away on April 20, 2018. After being in recovery for 18 months he died at the hands of his girlfriend who he offered help to. She decided to give my son a hot shot of fentanyl,car,fentany, methamphetamine, and Xanax while he was sleeping because he was trying to help her go into treatment and she didn’t feel she needed it. This is the reason why I started my nonprofit. Everything I do is out of the love I have for my children. I work in Harm Reduction , I help people that are struggling with substance use disorders and mental health issues. I keep them safe until they make that decision about going into recovery. I run an underground syringe exchange program. Marion County has not legalized cringe exchange programs yet surrounding areas have and it has helped people. We test them for hepatitis and HIV and we keep the hospital ER visits down because we do wound care and there are less cases of endocarditis because of the clean syringes. We hand out. We also collect the used syringes so they’re not in our parks on our street where our children Can get poked by them. It’s safety first.You can’t help somebody who doesn’t want help. They have to realize that they want it once they realize that I will help them in anyway I can we work on educating kids about the dangers of drugs how to be safe when they’re out with their friends, teach parents, what to look for the signs that they should be mindful of, and how not to turn their back on their children. If they find out that their children are using drugs that’s the worst thing a parent can do. People have to realize addiction is a disease just like mental health people need help if you keep turning your back on somebody what are you telling them? You are telling them that you don’t care and I care I care about everybody. I come across their issues if they’re having problems with housing if they’re having problems with domestic violence, if they’re having problems with addiction I’m there for them Two days a week. I’m at the Marion County Jail in Ocala one classes for parenting that I teach and the other classes is smart Recovery I teach these young women that when they get out, they have options. They have places that they can go to get help to get off of drugs to escape domestic violence to make something of themselves and help their children With their parenting skills. I also help families with grief. We teach them how to use tools to deal with the pain that they’re going through..
My son is with me every day and my thoughts in my prayers. He is the one who guides me to people who need me most. I miss him tremendously, but he works through me to save people‘s lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have struggles along the way such as the hospital district excepting syringe exchange programs in Marion County getting funding is an issue. Everything I do is out of pocket because I rely on private donations to help people there were still that stigma attached and that judgment for substance use people think that people like being on drugs and living a miserable life and that’s not the case first time you use drugs absolutely that is a choice, but it only takes one time to have your brain rewired to have you crave something that destroys your life
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a 501C located in Ocala, Florida, which is Marion county I also work in surrounding counties. We provide services to people that are struggling with drug addiction. We help them get the services that they need when they are ready for recovery. In the meantime, we offer harm reduction services by helping them with clean syringes, HIV and Hepatitis testing. We help them with housing issues with getting medical care mental health services.
We also help families that are dealing with substance use. We also offer grief counseling services for families that have lost loved ones.
I am known for listening and giving people hope. What sets me apart from others is I’m always on the clock. If somebody needs me I’m always there..
I want people to know if they or a loved one are struggling with substance use. Please reach out to us. We can get them to help that they need..
As stated earlier, we rely on donations if you would like to donate in honor of a loved one that would be an honor for us.
What does success mean to you?
I define success by seeing somebody out in public who came to me for help and their face is shining with new found Hope.
Pricing:
- All of our services are free.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pickingupthepieces.us
- Other: https://TikTok.com/@Narcanmom18
Image Credits
Picking Up The Pieces, Inc
