People in addiction recovery from across Mississippi gathered at the state Capitol recently to share their personal stories and push lawmakers toward a more compassionate, health-focused approach to treating addiction.
The event, Mississippi Recovery Day, gave residents a rare chance to speak directly with legislators about what recovery really looks like — and what barriers still stand in the way.
What Is Mississippi Recovery Day?
Mississippi Recovery Day is an annual event where people affected by addiction visit the Capitol to advocate for policies that support recovery.
This year’s event was co-sponsored by End It For Good, a Mississippi-based nonprofit that views addiction as a medical condition rather than a criminal justice issue.
Attendees toured the Capitol, met with legislators, and shared their stories at a press conference. The Mississippi Senate formally recognized the event in the Senate Chamber.
“That’s the goal, a healthy thriving life, and we want to celebrate every step that a person takes that gets them closer to that healthy, thriving life,” said Christina Dent, founder of End It For Good.
Real Stories from Mississippians in Recovery
Several attendees were residents or graduates of Grace House, a transitional sober living program for women in Jackson. Their stories illustrate both the human cost of addiction and the power of recovery.
Lakeisha Pannell, 44, began using drugs at age 14 and eventually lost contact with her family.
After serving time in prison, she was placed at Grace House, where she’s been rebuilding her life, motivated in part by her granddaughter. She now faces the challenge many people in recovery encounter: difficulty finding employment due to a felony record.
Jerica Hill, 36, got sober after losing custody of her young son. “You can actually really enjoy life,” she said of her sobriety.
Stacey Spiehler, 45, overcame addiction rooted in childhood trauma and family history. Her journey took her through shelters, hospitals, and multiple treatment programs before Grace House helped provide the stability she needed.
She has since graduated from the University of Mississippi as a Lyceum Scholar and now advocates for families and children with disabilities.
Understanding Addiction: What Families Should Know
Addiction is a chronic brain disorder that affects behavior, decision-making and relationships. It is not simply a lack of willpower or a moral failing.
Common signs of addiction include inability to stop using a substance despite consequences, withdrawal from family and friends, legal problems related to substance use and neglecting responsibilities at work or home.
Many people, like those who spoke at the Capitol, developed addiction after trauma, emotional pain, or exposure at a young age. Recognizing these root causes is an important step toward getting effective help.
Policy Changes Being Pushed in Mississippi
Advocates and legislators at the event discussed several policies aimed at expanding recovery access across the state:
Rep. Fabian Nelson is pushing to remove hypodermic syringes from the drug paraphernalia crime list, which would make needle disposal programs possible.
Rep. Sam Creekmore authored a bill for state-funded clinical trials of ibogaine, a drug showing promise in treating opioid use disorder.
The bill has already passed the House and is now in the Senate. Katie Scheel of Columbus credited medical cannabis with helping her recovery and spoke against proposed restrictions on medical marijuana advertising.
Past advocacy through events like this one has already made a difference. Mississippi recently passed laws decriminalizing fentanyl testing strips and expanding access to Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses.
Addiction Treatment in Mississippi
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, help is available. Addiction.com has a listing of addiction treatment programs in Mississippi. For immediate assistance, call
800-681-1058
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today.