Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Owen.
Missy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Davis Direction Foundation was established in 2014 after the fatal heroin overdose of Davis Owen, my 20-year old son. Upon release from rehabilitation, there was nowhere to go to establish a network of support and resources other than a 12-step meeting on a weekly schedule. He stayed alone in his home fighting his demons with little to no support while his family had returned to work and school.
In the midst of this tragedy, my husband and I rose to a calling from God: helping to save the lives of individuals suffering from the devastating disease of addiction raising awareness in our community and reducing stigma so people with the disease of addiction wouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. Since its inception, The Davis Direction Foundation combats the deadly disease of addiction by focusing on 5 key areas including: Education, Prevention, Harm-Reduction, Advocacy, and Recovery. The Davis Direction Foundation supports The Zone, a 21,000 square ft Recovery Support Organization located in Marietta, Georgia. The Zone provides a safe haven for people from all walks of life to find, maintain, and enjoy long-term recovery free from Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Addiction had become the number one reason for death in our country prior to the pandemic and the average age of death in the US had gone down for the first time in decades because of it. As if addiction was not bad enough before the pandemic, research has shown that connection is the opposite of addiction, and when Coronavirus created the need for isolation and led to a devastated economy, the collision of the opioid epidemic and the global pandemic, created the greatest loss due to drug overdose in this century 96,779 overdose deaths occurred from March 2020 until March 2021, according to the CDC.
We’ve been impressed with Davis Direction Foundation and The Zone, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It is time to Recover Recovery! Our participants have too often been trafficked, abused, molested, and stigmatized to the point of being too ashamed to ask for help. They were the children who “fell through the cracks” and NEVER received any help. It’s not too late to offer them a second chance. In 2016, The Davis Direction Foundation opened The Zone, a Recovery Support Organization located in Cobb County, Georgia.
The Zone provides a second chance and serves individuals in recovery from substance use disorder by providing support and free services including day shelter, recovery support meetings, evidence-based peer support, recovery coaching, information and referral, vital document assistance, resume assistance, job search support, housing search support, clothing vouchers, transportation assistance, pantry bags, daily meals and homeless outreach. The Zoned 4 Re-Entry Program and The Zoned 4 Youth in Recovery Program specifically target individuals involved with the criminal justice system. Becoming part of the recovery community at The Zone allows individuals in recovery to grow in all aspects of their lives.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Trusting in God fully has allowed me the opportunity to turn a devastating loss into something meaningful and life-changing for people in recovery.
Pricing:
- Every service we offer at The Zone is FREE
Contact Info:
- Email: missy@davisdirection.com
- Website: www.davisdirection.org
- Instagram: @thedavisdirection
- Facebook: @thedavisdirection
- Twitter: @davisdirection
