Jeff J.

I want to thank God for allowing me to survive the disease of addiction and granting me the opportunity and ability to share with you.

For twenty-seven years, I was a major alcoholic with a master’s in drug addiction. A dedicated ironworker, my only vacations were those given by the criminal justice system. For twenty of those years I was on a road show, touring county jails on a national level. When it was all said and done, I had been in 38 states and 14 countries.

But finally, I found myself in a Prop. 36 courtroom. It was treatment or a six-year prison term. This is where the wonder of it all began. The kindness and the caring that was shown to me, even an addict could not ignore.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, even my disease conceded. Only by the grace of God, placing some caring professionals in my path, was I able to get that moment of clarity, which allowed the Lord to begin the miracle.

I’m not proud of my many wrong doings, and definitely do not make light of the seriousness of my regrettable past. In my disease, I was spiritually and morally bankrupt, and destroyed all the meaningful relationships in my life.

But now, I’ve married a wonderful, Christian woman and I have my mother back in my life. Today, I enjoy the gift of life, and truly want to pass it on.

--Since graduating, Jeff has become a certified drug and alcohol counselor and now works with others currently in the Prop. 36 program. He is also an active member of the Prop. 36 Alumni Association and an advocate for expanding access to treatment within and outside of the criminal justice system.