Mother in Springhill TN finds strength after son overdoses
It was every parents worse nightmare – a knock on the door and opening to see a police officer and a chaplain. It was Nov. 30, 2015. Jacqueline Perrine sunk down to the floor and screamed:
“It’s my son, isn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am, he died today.”
Heroin overdose.
Perrine still calls his crowded funeral a “celebration of life,” which sounds less final to her.
“I know he’s gone, but in the back of my mind, I’m waiting for his call from jail, I’m waiting for that letter.”
Her son, Adam Richardson, had been struggling with drugs and addiction since his teenage years, and finally died at the age of 30, leaving behind a nine-year-old son for Jaqueline to take care of.
Once she got over her own shock and grief, Perrine was surprised to find many other mothers in the area were also going through the same grieving process.
“It was a real eye opener that I’m not alone. Who knew how many people in this town lost kids to overdoses?” she said.
Inspired to make a difference, she is now active in the community in a wide range of efforts –
* Speaking to inmates at Williamson County drug court;
* Doing group counseling work for addicts and families of addicts;
* Starting treatment programs for inmates with substance use disorder in Williamson County jail;
* Coaching for addicts’ parents through the Partnership for Drug Free Kids;
* Looking into drug use prevention education for elementary and middle school students.
Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction? Don’t wait any longer to ask for help. In today’s environment, you never know when your next dose will be your last!
Our Neuro Rehabilitation approach helps address the root causes of addiction once and for all.
To learn more about Jaqueline Perrine’s efforts in Springhill, TN, please visit the Tennessean.