SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. — In Scott County, a woman is using her experiences growing up in the community to connect with younger people and help make sure others avoid addiction.
Keisha Thrower said growing up there, her early life was riddled with trauma leading to addiction.
"When you live in a community where there's not a lot of things to do, then when there are drugs and alcohol involved, it's easy to get involved in that kind of thing," she said. "I didn't know that I was experiencing all this internal anguish until I actually used, and when I used it gave me this false sense of feeling of wholeness."
She said eventually, she went beyond using drugs. She started to sell them, which created its own cycle of addiction.
"When I began selling drugs, it was an addiction in itself. Because, for the first time, I had power and control over people's lives," Thrower said. "In 2010, I got arrested and ended up incarcerated. And God started my journey from there."
She said that since she was arrested, she had started her recovery journey. Eventually, it led her to become a mother and a wife. She said she became a local faith leader, working with her church to address addiction in Scott County.
"In all honesty, I was the worst mother that was ever here. And, I really don't deserve what I do have today. You know, that's just a gift from God," she said. "In the church, you know, we do have some broken kids that come."
Thrower said she offers them a listening ear, hearing the stories that led them to the church and searching for help. Now, she said she serves as a leader in the local recovery community, alongside someone she once sold drugs to.
"I know Keisha from the bottom, from the worst part of her life. And, to see her now with her kids, that's what gets me high today," said Randall Byrge, a Scott County recovery coach and friend of Keisha's.
"People need to know that there is help. You don't have to suffer alone," said Thrower. "Whether it's you, or a family member, you know, there are resources. There is help. You don't have to be alone."
Anyone in Scott County searching for help recovering from addiction can reach out to the STAND Office at 423-286-9925. It stands for "Schools Together Allowing No Drugs."