Ascension Parish mothers start nonprofit to lower drug addiction problem in Louisiana

Ana Conejo
·1 min read

ASCENSION PARISH, La. (BRPROUD) — Two mothers in Ascension Parish, Michelle Perck and Jessie Brown, spoke about being survivors of a pill addiction.

“Overdosed three times. But my last one, I almost lost my life,” said Brown.

“I held a gun to my head, and I pulled the trigger, and it didn’t have a bullet and I was mad,” Perck said.

Today, their lives are turned around and they are using their nonprofit, M.O.M.S Booksacks, to help those suffering with drug addiction.

“I used to work at a recovery center. I always had my booksack filled with snacks, socks,” said Perck.

“I struggled my whole life, you know, with being hearing impaired, so when I took that drug for the first time, I was able to, like, feel like I could be my full self around people,” said Brown.

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The backpacks contain hygiene products, blankets, water, juice and snacks. The most important item is resources to mental help, recovery centers and more.

Perck and Brown said the nonprofit fuels through donations and are getting ready to distribute backpacks in May for an event in Baton Rouge.

“We’re getting ready to pack over 100 and probably 50 something backpacks,” said Perck.

With a backpack, a listening ear, and sharing their story of recovery they hope to make a difference and spread a special message to those in need.

“They’re not alone and they are loved,” said Perck.

Items in need are hygiene products, blankets, water, snacks and backpacks. Items can be donated during business hours at the GAP Factory in the Tanger Outlet in Gonzales. Money donations can also be made through Cash App, MOMSbooksack.

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