Eminem Opens Up About Sobriety Journey 18 Years Later
18 years after a near fatal overdose on methadone, Eminem is releasing a new documentary called STANS that divulges more details about his sobriety journey and what led him to recovery.
Available for streaming on August 26, the raw film offers an intimate and revealing journey across the “Lose Yourself” rapper’s career. It features archival footage and dramatic recreations, as well as an original interview with Eminem himself.
Vicious Cycle of Addiction
Before winding up unconscious in a hospital bed in 2007, Eminem admits that he was trapped in a “vicious cycle” of depression and pill addiction, a dual diagnosis. He recalls the nightmare of falling asleep and waking up suddenly connected to tubes, unable to move.
Reflecting on his darkest moment, the 52-year-old icon also known as Slim Shady says: “After the overdose, I came home going, ‘Yo, bro, I need something….I’m going to die if I don’t do something.’”
Following his near death experience, the artist who gave us “Houdini” describes having to relearn how to rap again before the release of Relapse in 2009.
Doing Something Different
But even in the aftermath of his life-threatening overdose, the rapper wasn’t yet ready to commit to recovery. It was the lukewarm reception of Relapse that changed everything.
Eminem recalls that the album’s tepid reception, combined with the lingering memory of his recent brush with death, “turned the lights on.” These transformative events prompted the rap legend to realize that he had to do “something different.”
He decided it was time to try embracing sobriety. These days, he says he has come to treat “sobriety like a superpower.” He adds, “I was proud of the fact that I could quit.”
During a 2022 appearance on the Paul Pod podcast, Eminem describes the act of making music as a “‘whole different experience” without “substances in your body.”
Sobriety as a Superpower
Eminem came to realize that if he wanted to live, he had no choice but to make a major life change. Now, he is celebrating 17 years sober. He came back from his near fatal overdose stronger than ever, proving there is always hope of recovery.
It’s never too late to do something different. You, too, can make sobriety your superpower.
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New Teen Vaping App Launches in Michigan
A new mobile app launched by the My Life, My Quit program is giving Michigan teens easy access to resources to help them quit vaping. The technology is designed to address the surge in teen vaping and tobacco addiction.
Meeting Teens Where They Are
The app appeals to young people by using tools that teens are most comfortable with: their digital devices. It’s a much needed response to an epidemic of vape addiction dependency among adolescents. The apps provide a confidential and personalized coach right on their favorite devices.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian is Michigan’s chief medical executive and she notes that the new app will “meet teens where they are with tools that support quitting tobacco products.” She expressed her gratitude to program leaders for partnering with young adults to update their app’s design. “We’re excited to promote this new option to youth in Michigan,” she further stated.
The 2023 Michigan Youth Survey reported that 13.2% of surveyed teens used tobacco products. The most commonly used products were e-cigarettes, with 11.1% of youth reporting having vaped within the last 30 days.
Quitting tobacco products may be challenging but the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes the benefits. Some benefits include spending increased quality time with loved ones as well as saving money. Quitting may take more than one attempt but there’s support for teens to help them stick with it.
Around the App
My Life, My Quit and MDHHS collaborated to provide scientifically proven, free assistance for youth ready to quit using nicotine products. The app offers access to interactive learning, custom quit plans and live coaches through phone or text. Teens’ feedback was valuable in creating the app to make it more engaging and accessible.
The app has some key features important to Gen Z. These include integration across multiple devices with the full My Life, My Quit program, goal and progress tracking tools, trained quit coaches available for live chats and reminders and motivational messages.
Combining the app’s features with other support systems makes them especially helpful. Nicotine addiction is often tied to behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. This is why mental health professionals play such a crucial role in helping teens quit nicotine products successfully.
Angela Thomson is the co-chair of the Huron County Recovery and Prevention Coalition and an outpatient therapist at Huron Behavioral Health. She explains, “Mental health services are essential,” because it’s not a matter of willpower.
Rather, “it’s about understanding why the behavior started and building healthier coping strategies. Therapists can help teens manage cravings, regulate emotions, and address co-occurring issues like anxiety or trauma.”
Significant Teen Vaping Statistics
Among US youth the most commonly used tobacco product is vapes according to the CDC.
The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey’s study of US middle and high school students found that 1.63 million reported previous vape use. An additional 1.8% of American middle and high school students admitted to having used nicotine pouches.
Researchers also found that 43.6% of those 1.63 million students had continued to use vapes. Stats from students who reported currently using the products revealed that 26.3% reported using tobacco daily.
Another 38.4% said they had used e-cigarettes 20 out of the last 30 days. And a stunning 87.6% of those respondents said they used flavored e-cigarettes.
The 2024 report also revealed that more females reported current e-cigarette use than males. And 36.6% of teens who vape admitted to using more than one product.
In 2020, 63.9% of those who reported current use said they wanted to quit vaping. The percentage of those who had tried to quit in the past was 67.4%.
To connect young people with the tools they need to quit, especially in rural areas like Huron County, outreach is the key.
Thomson remarked that “Many teens have phones already, and promoting My Life, My Quit through the social media they use can make it feel more approachable and relevant. Because it’s free, confidential, and nonjudgmental, it’s a great resource for youth who might be hesitant to ask for help.”
Statewide support systems for quitting tobacco products are critical but Thomson is hopeful that the app will produce significant results at the community level.
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Joe Namath Opens Up About Alcoholism and Recovery
A clip featuring legendary former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath has gone viral again. Back in March of 2024, “Broadway Joe” sat down with interviewer Graham Bensinger to share heartfelt details of how he overcame his addiction to alcohol.
The resurfaced clip is giving his dedicated fan base deeper insight into his sobriety journey.
A Dark Chapter
The NFL icon has historically been open about his rocky battle with alcoholism. In his bestselling autobiography All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters, Namath shared how his drinking spiraled out of control after the end of his football career.
His infamous rock bottom moment came when he told ESPN’s Suzy Colber he wanted to kiss her during a sideline interview. The mortifying incident led Namath to seek treatment and ultimately put him on a path to sobriety that continues today.
A Heartfelt Plea
During Namath’s 2024 interview with Bensinger, which the host recently re-shared on social media, he urged others living with addiction to ask for help. He said, “Understand about it. Understand what it is and ask for help…If you can get through the physical part of it—withdrawal, or the withdrawals you think there are—it becomes an attitude.”
Admittedly, it took years of difficulty for the Jets icon to see the light himself but he’s thankful that he did. He continues, “I’m a slow learner, but, by God, I’ve learned.”
Inspiring Humility
Namath’s legions of fans chimed in with support and praise on Bensinger’s social media post, with many commenters touched by his honesty about a dark chapter in his life. One fan wrote, “Joe, I love your humility.”
Namath’s openness is an inspiring and necessary step on the road to recovery. He had the humility to share his truth in the hopes of reaching others in the same battle.
If you are experiencing drug or alcohol addiction, you, too, can find the strength to be vulnerable. Find a treatment center near you and reach out for help
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Largest Meth Bust in South Dakota History
Officials in South Dakota have just announced a record breaking meth bust. Alonso Molinacorona (42) was arrested in Sturgis after being accused of transporting hundreds of pounds of meth in South Dakota. Law enforcement is calling this the “largest meth seizure in Highway Patrol history.”
Molinacorona was pulled over by a trooper for speeding on I-90, and a service dog ended up finding more than 207 pounds of crystal meth. The street value came out to $12 million dollars.
Operation Prairie Thunder
The takedown is the latest success of Operation Prairie Thunder., a targeted initiative aiming to dismantle drug trafficking networks across South Dakota. Rhoden says, “When it comes to safety, one of our biggest opportunities to move the needle is right here in Sioux Falls…” He claims, “We are taking decisive action to hold criminals accountable and protect our communities.”
Attorney General Marty Jackley and the Meade County State’s Attorney are prosecuting the case, and Jackley believes federal charges may be filed in addition to other charges. Molincacorona faces one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. He is also charged with possession of a controlled substance which could result in an additional five years in prison.
Debating Legalities
There is some debate about the immigration status of Monlinacorona. He was described as an illegal immigrant by several media outlets but a spokesperson for Gov. Larry Rhoden claims that Molinicorona was in the country legally during his arrest.
According to officials Molinacorona is still required to partake in immigration proceedings and is in federal custody, however. U.S. immigration law also mandates that non-citizens who are convicted of drug trafficking may face deportation, regardless of their immigration status.
Gov. Larry Rhoden states that eight non-citizen arrests have been made by the South Dakota Highway Patrol since a state agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol dependency, you don’t have to remain at the mercy of the drug traffickers. You can break free.
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Jennifer Aniston Reflects on Matthew Perry Addiction
Jennifer Aniston is opening up about her friend and co-star, Matthew Perry and his long battle with addiction. The remarks come as fans and loved ones prepare to commemorate the second anniversary of Perry’s untimely passing due to the effect of acute ketamine intoxication.
A Beloved ‘Friend’ Remembered
Perry is best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit 90s sitcom Friends. For ten seasons, Aniston played alongside him as Rachel Green.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, she describes her co-star’s harrowing fight against drug and alcohol dependency, saying she and her castmates “did everything we could when we could.”
A Long and Heartbreaking Journey
Perry passed away at the age of 54, after grappling for most of his adult life with substance abuse. Throughout his run on Friends, he fought through numerous relapses
It was Aniston, his long-time, real-life friend and former crush, who first confronted Perry about his problem drinking on the set of Friends. It was a pivotal moment that first inspired Perry to admit he had a problem and to seek treatment.
Perry recounted in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, that the conversation was a “scary” moment for him but one for which he was thankful. In an interview with Diane Sawyer in 2022, Perry recalls, “She was the one who reached out the most. I am truly grateful to her for that.”
Having witnessed his heartbreaking, decades-long journey, Aniston revealed that she mourned him before he was gone, recognizing that his battle was “a hard one to fight.” In joint statements following the actor’s death, his Friends co-stars express their love and shared grief, while finding solace in the belief that their friend has found peace at last.
An Enduring Legacy
Perry’s story will not end with his tragic death. Despite his own long battle and his struggle with relapse, Perry spent the final decades of his life advocating for those in recovery. He proclaimed his greatest achievement not to be his acting successes. Rather, what Perry was most proud of was his role as advocate, helping others get into treatment and achieve health and sobriety.
To date, four persons have been criminally charged in relation to Perry’s death. This includes Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who has pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
And perhaps Perry’s most enduring legacy will lie in shining a spotlight on the unethical practices of some clinicians with authorized access to highly regulated and dangerous drugs, such as the drug that ultimately took Perry’s life.
With stricter enforcement of drug statutes among medical professionals, deaths like Perry’s and others, including music icons Michael Jackson and Prince, might have been prevented.
The Courage to Share Your Own Story
Perry was open about his struggle with addiction. In his memoir, which was published not long before his death, he was real about the toll alcoholism and pill addiction took on his life and career.
He shared the raw details of his turbulent journey to sobriety, offering a candid look at his experiences with addiction in the hopes of reaching others in the same situation.
Matthew Perry had the courage to be honest about his pain. You can find the courage as well. If you are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, tell your own story. Reach out for help today.
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Veteran Beats Homelessness and Addiction in Los Angeles
For almost 20 years, Rob Slaughter, a Marine Veteran, lived homeless and addicted on the streets of Los Angeles. His story highlights the harsh reality of veteran homelessness and addiction, but also the hope that rehab and treatment programs can bring.
After being discharged from the military after less than four months and losing both of his parents, Slaughter had no home, no family, and no future. Then he found help–and a reason to live.
Hitting Rock Bottom
Slaughter’s addiction led him to the Skid Row district of LA and he found himself contemplating suicide. “People wanted me dead. I wanted me dead. I needed another reason to live,” he said.
Slaughter was a construction worker and carpenter for 15 years after leaving military service, despite his addiction. He said that in 2018, “I was at my lowest point and had nowhere to go. I was living in a van with my cat and my tools, still making a living.”
Things started to shift for Slaughter, and he had a “God moment,” he said. That eventually landed him at New Directions, where the structured program was what he needed to get his life on track.
Slaughter enrolled in the New Directions for Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus. The specialized program offers transitional housing and addiction recovery. Slaughter rebuilt his life while earning his sobriety, and now he’s a successful tradesman and a leader on the historic campus.
Helping Veterans Heal
Slaughter says he feels honored and privileged to live on the property where he and other Veterans can find hope and a future. Slaughter and his colleagues work hard to ensure that the campus remains a healing and safe sober living space for everyone who lives there. “We have to maintain our honor, and I have to fight for that,” he said.
He said enrolling in treatment at New Directions marked the first time in his adult life that he knew himself sober and was able to ask himself, “What do I really like? What are my real interests? I found I did like me.”
Slaughter was able to secure an apartment on the West LA VA campus through the help of the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).
At that point, he had to make some choices about his career. He could work as a tradesman painting new houses for other Veterans on the campus, or he could work as a security guard at a nightclub. He understood that working in the nightclub could lead him to make some poor choices. He took the painting job instead. He thought taking that job was a chance, but it ended up blessing him.
Slaughter wants other Veterans at the end of their rope to understand that they can overcome addiction and other issues like he did, saying, “To the guy that is desperate, done, tired, sick, crazy, crying to himself – it can stop. Call upon God to show you the way and start trusting.”
As the West LA campus evolves, Slaughter is planning to remain as a leader and continue showing other Veterans their possibilities.
He wants other Veterans to know there is a path to recovery and healing, but you have to be willing to trust. “Don’t do it your way for once,” he says, “Do it someone else’s way. Give yourself a chance.”
If you’re a service member or part of a military family and you’re struggling with alcohol or drug dependency, help is available.
You can find addiction recovery programs tailored to the unique needs of military personnel and their families on Rehabs.org.
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Problem Gambling on U.S. Military Bases Raises Concern
It’s long been known that military service members are at a higher risk of developing addiction but it seems that a new issue is on the rise for uniformed men and women: gambling. According to a recent report gambling disorders are surging on U.S. military bases overseas.
Dangers of Slot Machines on Military Bases
Experts warn that U.S. troops overseas are spending more money on base slot machines. Congress has long since banned slot machines on military bases at home but no such legislation prohibits them from operating in overseas bases.
These locations are operated by the Army Recreation Machine Program which uses the revenue to expand on amenities for troops.
While the intentions behind the installation of these gaming machines on base may have been good there are also significant and growing concerns.
Shane W. Kraus is an associate professor at the University of Nevada and has studied the issue of problem gambling on military bases.
Professor Kraus asserts that service members are at a higher risk of developing a gambling disorder than their civilian counterparts.
They’re also less likely to ask for help in dealing with addiction.
Far-Reaching Repercussions
The consequences of problem gambling among service members aren’t just financial. Problem gambling can quickly spiral into other behavioral disorders such as alcohol addiction.
Service members experiencing gambling disorder may also face disciplinary action from superiors or complete discharge.
In response to the growing crisis the ARMP has ramped up efforts to promote responsible gambling. This includes partnerships with the National Council on Problem Gambling and linkage to gambling addiction hotlines.
But opponents argue that more action is needed to include increased access to gambling education and addiction services.
The Need for Expanding Care
Despite increasing awareness of the issue service members still report significant challenges in accessing appropriate care. Dave Yeargar, who developed a gambling disorder while serving overseas, eventually found help through a VA clinic.
But the VA’s services are not consistent across locations and this means some service areas are lacking. Gambling addiction care is a specialized area where the VA may need greater expansion.
Only two locations provide residential gambling addiction treatment. Significantly more facilities offer it on an outpatient basis.
Accessibility is a common hurdle to those seeking addiction treatment. Those seeking help while serving in the military may feel they can’t balance their responsibilities with the treatment process. Those back home need to travel great distances to find a program that meets their needs.
Increasing access to quality addiction care is necessary to fighting this growing problem. The future will show us how ARMP and the military at large face these challenges.
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Mississippi Marijuana Bust Nets Plane, Cash, Guns
According to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, two men have been arrested in a massive marijuana bust in Drew, Mississippi. The agency reports that around 247 pounds of marijuana, nearly $300,000 in cash and an airplane were recovered during the operation.
A Joint Effort
The arrests come after agents with the Mississippi Bureau joined forces with the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Office and the Winona Police Department’s K-9 Unit.
In a coordinated effort among the three law enforcement agencies, 63 year old California resident William Claren and 66 year old Mississippi resident Mark Bailey were taken into custody at the Ruleville Drew Airport on July 29.
Massive Quantities of Drugs, Guns, and Cash Seized
During the course of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at an unspecified private residence, which resulted in the additional seizures of nearly 250 pounds of marijuana and almost $300,000 in cash
Multiple guns were also recovered, including a Taurus PT 22 caliber pistol and a Springfield Model 67VR Shotgun. But perhaps the most shocking find of all was the discovery of a Piper Comanche fixed wing single engine airplane.
The sheer magnitude of the interdictions is evidence of a much larger drug trafficking operation affecting Sunflower County, authorities say.
Additional Arrests Expected
William Claren and Mark Bailey were both charged with trafficking marijuana and conspiracy in the wake of the seizure of the large quantity of marijuana and cash. Authorities have indicated that additional arrests are to be expected in the coming days.
Law enforcement’s coordinated effort to disrupt drug trafficking networks affecting large cities and small towns alike across the U.S. shows the value in working together to remove illicit drugs from our streets.
With the concerted efforts of law enforcement, healthcare providers and community members, it is possible to end the cycle of addiction, crime and violence that plagues our neighborhoods.
If you are struggling with marijuana addiction, you are not alone. There is always hope for recovery.
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Boston Drug and Homelessness Crisis Dominates Mayor Race
For years, Boston leaders have struggled with how to address the intertwined crises of homelessness and public drug use concentrated near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, an area known as “Mass and Cass.”
Even after the city cleared a large tent encampment there in 2023, drug activity and addiction related issues have spread into nearby neighborhoods, prompting growing frustration from residents.
A Push for Prevention
The problem is now a central issue in the Boston mayoral race between incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and her challenger, philanthropist Josh Kraft. Both agree that the opioid epidemic and homelessness crisis are extremely difficult to solve at the local level, but they sharply differ on how to respond.
Mayor Wu’s approach focuses on coordinated outreach, prevention, and access to treatment and other services. In November 2023 her administration dismantled the Atkinson Street tent encampment citing public health and safety concerns.
The city paired this with ongoing enforcement to prevent tents from returning. According to city data the year after the removal saw no homicides in the area and a drop in violent crimes. Wu’s Boston Coordinated Response Team works with police and city agencies to enforce encampment bans, respond to public drug use reports and connect people to treatment.
Nonviolent drug offenders may be diverted into recovery programs instead of facing jail time. Wu has expanded police presence in problem areas, deployed specially trained outreach officers, and allocated $200,000 in grants to strengthen the Coordinated Response Team.
Calls for Rigorous Enforcement
Josh Kraft’s plan takes a more enforcement-driven approach. He argues Wu’s efforts have failed to stop public drug use, trespassing and needle litter. Kraft proposes stronger enforcement of quality-of-life laws, with cases handled in specialty courts that emphasize treatment.
He would revive the Community Syringe Redemption Program, which paid for returned needles to slow the spread of contagious illnesses related to injectable drug use. Kraft also vows to increase cleanup efforts after recent incidents, including one in which an individual stepped on a discarded needle.
Kraft also wants to create a state-partnered recovery campus to replace the long-closed Long Island facility, providing housing support for those overcoming addiction, along with a surge in shelter beds to house all unhoused individuals. It’s a bold plan that has seen significant success in other major US cities such as San Francisco.
The face offers voters two paths: Wu’s emphasis on coordinated outreach and sustained prevention versus Kraft’s call for tougher enforcement paired with expanded recovery facilities and cleanup programs.
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Alice Cooper Sobriety Fueled by Golf Passion
In a recent interview Alice Cooper shared how golf led to his sobriety and potentially saved his life. The rock legend battled drug and alcohol addiction for many years but has found solace in this pastime on his hunt for healthier habits.
He stated, “I had to find an addiction that wasn’t gonna kill me because all my other ones were killing me.”
Alice Cooper Finds Sobriety on the Golf Course
For Cooper golfing initially seemed like a convenient hobby to explore. With over 130 golf courses in Phoenix he thought to himself, “I’ll try that.”
His efforts to discover positive habits were rewarded as Cooper quickly fell in love with golfing. He reminisced about his first time on the course and the way two successful shots led him down the path of devotion.
Cooper now plays golf every morning and even invite some of his rock and roll buddies. He jokingly stated,” Some of the guys can play. A lot of the guys really shouldn’t be on the golf course at all.”
Cooper’s story has sparked widespread conversation among fans about positive sober habits and the power of honing in on recovery. One fan deeply resonated with Cooper’s experiences, commenting, “Been there, done that. It‘s a good way out.” Another fan wrote about choosing swimming as their new ‘addiction’.
Fans also expressed how they’d love to play golf with Cooper. His experiences with addiction and recovery tell a relatable tale of resilience and the value of embracing new sober hobbies.
Through golfing Alice Cooper has found a passion for something beneficial for his sobriety journey and overall well-being. His love for the game shows how recovery can bring joy and connection with fun and fulfilling sober activities.
You too can build a healthy, happy sober life on the other side of addiction.
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FBI Probes New Mexico Prison Drug Smuggling Crisis
The FBI is cracking down on what it calls an “epidemic” of New Mexico prison drug smuggling involving fentanyl at a privately owned facility. The Cibola County Correctional Center is a facility that houses a combination of local detainees, persons apprehended by the US Marshals Service and those taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Violence and Drug Trafficking Behind Bars
Many think that putting criminals behind bars is a feasible answer to drug smuggling but the evidence suggests otherwise.
The Cibola Center is owned by CoreCivic which is a private government contractor. According to investigators CoreCivic has recently begun expanding immigrant detention centers due to the increased arrests made by ICE.
But receiving ICE detainees isn’t all Cibola is becoming known for. Law enforcement suspects that the facility, located about an hour west of Albuquerque, is experiencing a wave of violence and drug smuggling.
One of the disturbing findings is that staff members in New Mexico are implicated in the Cibola County Correctional Center.
Facing problems is nothing new to Cibola County. It has struggled with extensive drug smuggling reports, which pointed to guards being involved. Even more worrisome, the facility seems to have a staggering number of overdose deaths.
The drug smuggling is reported to be so severe that one agent in 2024 alleged that there was an epidemic occurring. Authorities also claim that CoreCivic employees were not only smuggling drugs into the prison but also helping detainees trade them.
Detainees in Danger
Informants at the facility have come forward to report correctional officers (COs). According to one affidavit, a CO hid methamphetamines and suboxone in his boots, allowing him to bypass security measures and store the drugs in a cell while pretending to perform a search.
These are not a few reports here and there. There are files containing hundreds of pages, including 911 call logs, police reports, FBI records, and more. By all accounts, it appears CoreCivic is struggling to operate a safe facility.
The investigation underscores the inherent danger of the current overcrowding situation in US correctional facilities and the particular threat those experiencing addiction face inside prison walls. It also shows the extensive work needed for appropriate medical and mental care and security for these inmates.
No matter where you are or what your circumstances may be, recovery is possible.
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FedEx Shipments Tied to Orange County NY Drug Bust
Twenty people have been arrested in a massive Orange County, NY drug bust with ties to FedEx shipments, following an 8 month long investigation called Operation Powder Burn. The operation also brought down a major gun trafficking operation and is being called one of the largest and most successful stings in county history.
District Attorney David Hoovler presented the items in a recent press conference. Among the confiscated contraband were 70 firearms, $65K in cash and 1.5 kilos of cocaine and fentanyl.
Operation Powder Burn
“Operation Powder Burn” was designed to dismantle a massive gun and drug trafficking ring spanning multiple eastern states.
Much of the contraband was shipped from FedEx hubs in Georgia and Pennsylvania to New York. One of the special agents, Bryan Miller, asserted that some of the guns were connected to numerous shootings that took place throughout New York and Vermont.
Miller states, “Together, we’re not just seizing firearms, we’re preventing shootings before they happen.”
Hoovler also wanted to make it clear that the guns confiscated were being sold by individuals involved in the drug trade.
“And this case started as a drug investigation and became a case about guns,” he said.
Facing Conspiracy Charges
Despite the nearly two dozen arrests, more work remains to be done. Investigators are still trying to locate Carl Henry, a 52 year old from Pennsylvania who is “wanted on charges of conspiracy, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal sale of a firearm.”
But according to the authorities the man who is allegedly at the center of both the drug and the trafficking ring is 40 year old Christopher Brown of Newburgh. Authorities allege Brown trafficked drugs and guns out of “The Kitchen” which is a non operable restaurant in Newburgh. He faces 30 years in prison.
Protecting Children in the Community
Orange County Sheriff Paul Areta believes in the importance of keeping children safe and sees operations like Operation Powder Burn as critical to that mission. “We need to keep the drugs and guns out of the hands of these children. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to prosecute children who have these weapons in their hands and are causing damage in our different communities,” Areta says.
Officer Areta also praises the support of other agencies, noting that this case wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts and support of the 20 law enforcement agencies involved helping prevent further damage to the community.
You can put the traffickers out of business, one recovery story at a time. Use Rehabs.org’s list of affordable treatment centers to find help in your area or call
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