After going through events that changed her family forever, and suffering through years of torment, senior Delana Crook decided to speak out against the cause of all her problems: heroin addiction.

“My high school years were spent living, loving, and coping with my heroine-addicted brother,” Crook said.

Jay Crook had dealt with drugs since he was in middle school, which affected his friends and family.  Kicked out of sports, his grades plummeted.  At 14, he was selling marijuana; at 16, he was arrested for drug possession with three felony charges.  That year he intentionally tried to overdose during final exams.

“I was doing every drug I could get my hands on,” her brother said.

He strived to get clean and has been for nearly two years now.  This is where Crook got her inspiration.  The fear of possibly losing her brother, and years of torment from other students inspired Delana to help stop heroin and opioid addiction.

“I never would have thought I would have gone through the things I went though.” Crook said

For her senior project, Crook held an assembly at Etowah to address the heroin epidemic.  Guest speakers, including parents of former drug addicts, police officers who have dealt with drug addicts, medical examiners who have seen the effects of heroin on the body, and Jay spoke to the crowd.  They told their stories and ways to stop this crisis that so many face.  At the end of her presentation, Crook encouraged everyone to help.

“He didn’t choose it. My brother is one of the smartest, most amazing people I know,” Crook said.

If you, or someone you know, suffers from addiction to heroin or opioids, do not be afraid to get help.  Call 1888-506-2153.