In an effort to raise drug awareness and prevent the use of illegal drugs Salina became a national focal point Thursday. The Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children chose Salina as the spot to host it's 6th annual conference. The conference was highlighted by one womans survival story.
"I am here to share my experience as a drug addict."
Casey Smith set out Thursday to give a very public look into her personal drug struggles. Her forum; the 6th annual Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Conference.
"I think we all have a lesson to learn that drug users can come from any family" says Loretta Severin who helped put on the conference.
Smith is a prime example of a drug user who comes from a very normal Kansas background. She went onto add that her home-life growing up had "no drugs in the home...no abuse."
In fact, school and sports came easy for Smith... getting a hold of a gateway drug like marijuana was also no problem for the Dodge City teen. By the age of 17, Smith was experimenting with meth. Smith added she was addicted to an array of drugs for over 12 years, and that she did serve felony prison time for her drug addiction.
After serving hard time Smith said the Ashby House in Salina changed her life. The house is a specialty rehabilitation center for anybody addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Smith recalls, "at first I did not want to go".
The Ashby House has helped keep Smith clean by providing a human touch.
"They treated you like a person...and cared about all aspects of your life."
