Tammy B.

Tammy B. started using drugs when she was 14. Well into her thirties, she was using crack cocaine and struggling with a heroin addiction. After being released from a second prison stay for drug possession, she immediately returned to using and was re-arrested. But this time, for the first time, she was offered treatment. Tammy got clean and sober at 40, after entering treatment through Proposition 36.

“I know that if it wasn’t for Prop. 36 I would either be in jail or dead right now,” said Tammy who has completed her educational requirements and is working towards taking the board exam for her California Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Certification.

Tammy says she cannot express adequately the way Prop. 36 allowed her to completely change her life. “I never knew any other way of life,” she said, “I never knew how to be normal.” Tammy emphasizes that once people are offered treatment they are able to work on their underlying problems.

Tammy’s Prop. 36 counselors referred her for a mental health diagnosis and she learned that she had developed bi-polar disorder through the changes in her brain from her drug use. She was put on medication for a period of time, but now no longer needs to take them. Tammy believes she was never successful in staying clean because of her underlying mental health problem.

In April 2005, Tammy celebrated her third year clean. “Prop. 36 has allowed me to become a parent again, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a neighbor.” she said. She has two children ages 25 and 6. Her sons now call her every day to tell her they love her. She lost custody of her youngest son during her addiction, but through all the progress she has made she is working towards uniting with him.