On January 29, 2023, a shocking news article reported an increase in substance abuse incidents in New Jersey, sparking a chain reaction for *John Miller*, a long-time resident of Hawthorne. Years ago, John lost his brother to a drug overdose, a traumatic event that still haunted him. The news took him back to that painful time and made him realize he had never truly coped with the loss.

As the days passed, John struggled more and more with these resurfaced memories. One night, unable to sleep, he recalled a program he had recently heard about called Stepping Into Action. This program offered resources for dealing with trauma and substance abuse through an online platform.

John began following the materials from Stepping Into Action, hoping to find some relief. The guidance from the program brought clarity and actionable steps to his life. It was profound when he read the words You're not alone in this battle; many have walked this path before and found healing.

While John felt a sense of direction, the news also brought about differing opinions from experts. Some believed discussing substance abuse openly could lead to better prevention and support. Others argued that too much exposure could lead to normalization, increasing the risk of abuse.

Despite the controversy surrounding the best approach to tackle substance abuse issues, John felt that starting his healing journey was vital. He realized how fortunate he was to find an online resource like Stepping Into Action, especially since local options were limited.

*John Miller* is a fictional character, and so is his entire story.

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