A Success Story
Meet Destiny Garcia
HER STORY"My addiction began when I was involved in an abusive relationship, I was beaten so severely to where I suffered fractured eye sockets, broken noses and multiple injuries that required medical care," stated Garcia as she spoke candidly with Fox 13 in a vulnerable reflection of her addiction. (Garcia 2019) Destiny was prescribed opiate medication to which she became quickly addicted to. "I wish I would have been educated on this medication." (Garcia, 2019) According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse the nation started to see a rise in opioid addiction in 2017. According to their report, 1.7 million people suffered from opioid addiction. (NIH 2020) Destiny’s story is like so many others who have become addicted to the pain medication they were prescribed. Misuse will often stem from the dependency and spiral the individual into addiction. An estimate of 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. (Thomas et al. 2015) Destiny quickly lost everything due to her substance use to the point where she became homeless. " I didn't know how or where to ask for help." (Garcia 2019) It wasn't until Operation Rio Grande that Destiny finally received the help she so desperately was seeking. "I was able to get 13 charges expunged from my record," stated Destiny during our interview which has allowed her to progress her standing with her current employment with the Salt Lake County Mayor's office. References National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Opioid Overdose Crisis. Https://Www.Drugabuse.Gov/. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis Vowles, K. E., McEntee, M. L., Julnes, P. S., Frohe, T., Ney, J. P., & van der Goes, D. N. (2015). Rates of opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction in chronic pain. PAIN, 156(4), 569–576. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.j.pain.0000460357.01998.f1 0:53 / 4:28 Former Addict Shares Addiction Recovery Story. (2019, September 7). Https://Www.Youtube.Com/. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz16qt-fEgU&feature=youtu.be |
Video Credit: Fox 13 Utah
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THE JOURNEY
Operation Rio Grande opened many doors for Destiny. "I had never received a drug charge, so therefore I was never offered treatment," stated Destiny during her one on one interview. Because of this operation, Destiny was offered treatment through Odyssey House which she completed successfully. Destiny states in her interview that the difference this time around after the operation was "I had access to treatment, I had access to Medicaid, sober living and resources." She was one of the first graduates of this operation. Operation Rio Grande has been able to help over 100 participants obtain employment. More than 100 people chose treatment and 74% of that number are still actively in treatment. (Anderson 2018) Through this operation Destiny was offered employment through the Salt Lake County Mayor's office. References Anderson, T. B. W. (2018, August 12). Operation Rio Grande: One year in and millions of dollars spent lead to one question: Is it working? The Salt Lake Tribune. https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/08/12/operation-rio-grande-one/ |
HEALINGDestiny has found purpose and meaning through her sobriety. In the interview I asked Destiny what challenges she faced and in a emotional response she stated "rebuilding relationships with my family, and finding employment." Destiny poured out with emotion while sitting in her red chair during this interview touching on the barriers she faced while fighting for her life. As she wiped the tears from her face she stated "This operation changed my entire life." Destiny explained the magnitude of what this operation provided her. Today, she is able to be the mother that she has always wanted to be. An estimated 12 percent of children in this country live with a parent who is dependent on or addicted to alcohol or other drugs (HHS, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], Office of Applied Studies, 2009). Data provided between a period from 2002 to 2007, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that 8.3 million children under 18 years of age resided with at least one substance dependent or substance-abusing parent.
References Lipari, PHD, R., Struther, L., & Van Horn, M. A. (2017, August 24). Children Living with Parents Who Have a Substance Use Disorder. Https://Www.Samhsa.Gov/. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3223/ShortReport-3223.html NSDUH. (2009, April 16). Children Living with Substance-Dependent or Substance-Abusing Parents: 2002 to 2007. The NSDUH Report. Https://Eric.Ed.Go. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED525064 |
ADVOCACYDestiny has found purpose in her recovery as she has become a strong advocate for recovery in our community. Destiny has participated in many media interviews, speaking engagements, outreach and community organizations. She has also taken a second job with Odyssey house to help those whom are in the beginning stages of recovery. Destiny uses her lived experience to instill hope in many. Destiny explains "This operation opened many doors to provide me with a platform to be able to showcase my skills," . She is a member of Young People in Recovery, a non-profit community organization that provides support to recovering addicts to assist them in reintegrating into society. YPR implements a Recovery Ready communities. “The model for a recovery-ready community is rooted in data and is a culmination of decades of trial and error in the prevention and treatment fields. In order to sustain long-term recovery, the best models integrate healthcare, the criminal justice system, employment, housing, education, harm reduction, and both formal and informal recovery supports. It is only in this way that communities will have a blueprint that tackles the substance use crisis on all fronts.” (YPR n.d) Destiny has become a staple in the recovery community, selflessly giving back and showing others there is a way out. She credits Operation Rio Grande for providing her the assistance she needed to find her way out of hopelessness.
References Young People in Recovery. (n.d.). Recovery-Ready Communities WP.pdf. Google Docs. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nhl95TRzYdpYQ9lIQ1qTVUk1WnQJHl2Y/view |
THE INTERVIEW
Destiny Garcia shares her views on the overall effectiveness of Operation Rio Grande
Destiny Garcia is a truly inspirational woman. What she has overcome is nothing short of a miracle. She has turned her struggle and pain into purpose. To hear her insight and belief that this operation saved her life as well as open doors for her to be able to receive treatment causes me to feel this operation was a success. " Without this operation I would have never received funding for treatment" Destiny stated during her interview, Destiny is highly respected at the Salt Lake County Mayor's office and in her recovery community. Destiny's insight on whether or not the operation caused many unnecessary charges to the individuals involved was eye opening. In researching the claims of criminalization, the ACLU addresses the individuals in the operation as well as implications this program has on them personally from an overall standpoint. Destiny makes the statement " I feel like addiction is criminalized with or without this operation." The ACLU outlines many statistical viewpoints offering the data to back up the statements. For example, it states that under Salt Lake County code, it is a crime to lodge or structure in place without the proper permission. It also points out that in the Salt Lake City municipal code, it is a crime to camp on public grounds, carrying a class B misdemeanor which could result in six months in jail with a $1,000 fine. When asked her views on the matter Destiny stated " I feel this operation helped a bunch of people, but also gave them charges they didn't need."
The ACLU report outlines the overall effects of this operation. It sheds light into the the failed approach, low level catch and release, arrests, collateral damage, the impact on the community, and the rights and dignity of impacted communities. This provided great insight as well as give a great view as to the issues that need to be addressed and the collateral damage it has on the individual. (ACLU 2019) Destiny's personal opinion on Operation Rio Grande was that it provided more successes to failure. This was an inspirational interview and I am grateful to have had this opportunity to gain Destiny’s perspective. It was powerful to see just how impactful this experience was for Destiny. She has had many opportunities placed in her path because of her participation in this operation. She has embraced everyone of them and now has a happy fulfilled life. Destiny is a true example of perseverance and determination and how an individual can overcome the hopelessness of addiction when provided proper resources.
References
Stevenson, J. (2019b, November 4). ACLU of Utah - Endgame for Operation Rio Grande. Https://Www.Acluutah.Org/. https://www.acluutah.org/resources/articles-position-papers/item/1577-rio-grande-endgame
THE IMPACT
Destiny Garcia had the honor of being featured on a mural in downtown Salt Lake City. The mural portrays over 250 of Utah’s most influential women. It represents both present and past day. The goal of this mural was to highlight women’s accomplishments as well as their contributions to the state, country and world. (Olander 2020) Destiny is most deserving of this recognition as her continuous efforts for our community do not go unnoticed. Women inspiring the next generation of women is the overall goal of this unveiling, Destiny Garcia is no doubt an inspiration paving the way for so many to come forward and speak their truth. When asked what platforms have been provided Destiny stated "I have had opportunity after opportunity thrown at me, it is just up to the individual to take that opportunity and run with it." Destiny's journey has been nothing short of a miracle. Her lasting words fought through the emotion and tears as she so profoundly stated " I would not be here today if it wasn't for this operation."
References Olander, D. (2020, August 26). Mural celebrating influential Utah women unveiled in Salt Lake City. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/8/26/21402835/mural-celebrating-influential-utah-women-womens-equality-day-downtown-salt-lake-city |