Holmes County Spotlight on Recovery : Dustin Brown

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Posted by: Staff
Date: May 02 2024 9:40 AM

HOLMES COUNTY :A vital component of combating the presence of drugs in our community is understanding that behind every drug arrest is a story - a story of someone who has lost their way and a family that has been torn apart by addiction.

Sheriff John Tate’s focus on assisting those struggling with addiction to find lasting recovery is just one step in healing families and giving those stories a chance to have a happy ending. Arrest itself is not an ending. Instead, it can be a new beginning.

Each month, we share a story from individuals who have successfully completed a drug rehabilitative program through the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and are now enjoying a new, fulfilled life of recovery.

Their journey. Their words. A message of hope for us all.

The April 2024 Spotlight on Recovery story comes from Dustin Brown:

My name is Dustin Brown. I am 42 years old and moved to

Bonifay when I was five. I began experimenting with marijuana at 14 and progressed to heavier substances by 16, ultimately

settling on meth by the time I was 20.

By then, I was a full-blown addict. Despite my addiction, I managed to complete a

telecommunications program at Chipola and started a promising career. However, my addiction continued to grow, eventually causing me to sacrifice the career I loved, and that’s when my life really started to deteriorate.

I found another job and was seeing someone; we had my

daughter, but my worsening drug addiction led to losing both her and my daughter.

I was first arrested for manufacturing and, after

serving my time, I returned to my addiction more intensely than before. I met the mother of my two sons, and shortly after, I was arrested again for manufacturing among other charges.

Sentenced to 12 years, I served my time. My first son was born

while I was incarcerated. After being released, I had my second son, but within 10 months, I was arrested again.

After serving another sentence, I was arrested yet again for a high-speed

chase and, later, for sales and parole violation.

Sent back to prison, I was released and immediately fell back into old habits.

However, something changed during this last prison stay. I

encountered God and began pursuing a new path. After six stints in prison and countless jail stays, I embarked on a journey that has transformed my life.

I joined a program in Virginia, where I deepened my relationship with the Lord and allowed Him to mold

me into the man he intended me to be.

It hasn’t been easy, and I

have struggled along the way, but the restoration I’ve

experienced has far exceeded anything I could have imagined. I have been slowly rebuilding relationships with my daughter, my sons, and my family.

I’ve been sober for years now, thanks to God and the Eagles

Nest program. I’m rebuilding my life with new goals, dreams, and a renewed purpose. It has been a long journey, but I am finally living the life I always wanted.

I want to thank John Wayne and the Eagles Nest for letting God work through them to change lives, but most importantly, I am grateful to my family for their unwavering support.

I also want to thank Zach Nalls for believing in me and providing opportunities that have been crucial in saving my life. Love you, bro!

Holmes County Spotlight on Recovery : Dustin Brown

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