GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — Local agencies in Clay County say they see how the illegal drug use is tearing families apart who live in Middleburg and Clay Hill on a daily basis.
“There’s hope. It’s there you just got to reach out and grab it,” said Middleburg resident Tommy Johnson, who addressed how he got help for his addiction.
“I haven’t touched cocaine or liquor, it’s all gone,” he added.
It’s something in Johnson’s past that has left scars on his life story.
“You run out of money, you go do crimes and you do stuff like that to get drugs. And it just destroys your life,” Johnson explained.
After spending 25 years running away from law enforcement, he’s finally taking them up on their offer to help him on his road to recovery -- the purpose of Hammer and Hope.
More than 20 different resource groups set up shop at Vera Francis Hall Park in Green Cove Springs so that they can help people like Johnson, regardless of what part of their recovery journey they’re on.
“We will hold them accountable for their behaviors and their actions but their drug addiction, if they come forward and ask for help, we’re going to help them,” Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said.
With the Clay County Sheriff's Office taking a deep dive into the county's drug issues, they want to collaborate with other community partners to help reduce the number of arrests and overdoses.
The agency has seen nearly 600 drug related arrests and overdoses over the course of a year. Knowing they will not come to a complete stop, Clay County Bureau Chief for Paramedicine Jairo Herrera says it’s crucial for them to educate everyone about the dangers of addiction.
“A 65 year old patient is typically the person who we are chronically responding to that’s responding to opioids. So if you think it’s the young addict, that’s typically not the case,” he mentioned.
Hoping to share more success stories like Johnson’s at next year's event.
Although the event was held for one day only, addiction resources in Clay County are available 365 days a year.
Anyone struggling with opioid addiction can call the Clay County Fire and Rescue 24-hour number, 904-284-7703, or email community.paramedicine@claycountygov.com.