Release Day---Why Write About Addiction?

Release day eve is always exciting and nerve-racking. As my 7th book releases tomorrow, I am praying it finds its audience and brings healing.
Here's my letter to readers:
In 2017, the year I started this novel, drug overdoses killed over 70,000 people in the United States. More people in our country died that year from this epidemic than those who were killed by guns, car crashes, or HIV/AIDS. Addiction isn’t the plight of any one demographic. Drug addiction and alcoholism are devastating our children, parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, and neighbors. If your life hasn’t been touched by this issue, count yourself blessed.

Addiction is a cunning and dangerous enemy, stealing the lives of medical professionals, teachers, law enforcement officers—any career you could name, along with teenagers and the homeless. There aren’t enough jails or enough funds to incarcerate all these members of our communities. We have to find ways to rehabilitate. In my county, the sheriff’s department is trying innovative ways to help the prisoners who struggle with addiction. Our local lawmakers are grappling with the issue. I don’t have the answers. 

There is heartbreak for those who love addicts or alcoholics and are at a loss as to what to do. Al-Anon is a wonderful support group for families who find themselves in this position. I interviewed dear people who battle addiction and those who try to pull people from its deadly grip. Twelve step programs like AA, NA, and Celebrate Recovery can help. If you are struggling with addiction, if you know somebody who is, or if you feel moved by this issue, please be in prayer for addicts, for their loved ones, for the community of people God has raised to support them, and for lawmakers as they contend with the issues. God’s life-changing power is real. He is the One who offers true freedom.

Not everyone gets a happy ending to their addiction story in real life. If that’s your family’s reality, if you’ve lost someone, I’m so sorry for your heartbreak. Know that you are not alone, and our Heavenly Father can bring healing.

There is power, hope, and peace in Him,

Janet W. Ferguson

​Let me know if I can pray for you!