Jackie Liebner, Corey Warren

Drug addiction is a major problem across the U. S.

A Lansing area woman, Jackie Liebner , is trying to eliminate a stumbling block to helping people with a drug addiction,  saying it’s a disease, not a stigma. Liebner and her son, Corey Warren, have created a program, Straight Talk, to draw awareness to the addiction problem.

Warren is a recovering heroin addict, who got off the drug but became an alcoholic. He calls the alcohol addiction worse because it’s socially acceptable and easy to buy.

His mother joined him in opening a residential treatment program for addicts.  They spoke to about 40 people at a community meeting Wednesday, September 18 at Essexville’s Garber High School.

The mother and son team shared the story with 650 Garber students in assemblies. They have also met with students in Birch Run and Frankenmuth. An appearance at Bay City Central is planned for early next year.