Voices From the Opioid Crisis

08/19/2026

https://voicesfromtheopioidcrisis.com/a-conversation-about-why-we-need-to-educate-students-about-addiction/

What do young people really understand about addiction?

07/18/2026

We're looking for 10 people willing to share their stories.

Not because they're perfect.

Not because they're polished.

Because they're real.

Stories of:
• Recovery
• Loss
• Survival
• Grief
• Hope

You can remain anonymous.

You can send rough notes.

We can help you tell it.

Whether your story involves addiction, recovery, grief, survival, mental health, homelessness, or loss — your voice belongs here.

07/12/2026

I want to give a big thank you to all who have purchased my first book, *From Mourning To Life*. Since it started selling on Amazon in March, a great number have bought it. However, there are only 20 reviews. I was hoping that many more would write reviews.
With this in mind, I am especially interested in finding out what you thought of it. It would help me to become a better writer and know if this collection of poems is making an impact on its readers. So, please write your reaction/review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Or you can email it to me by visiting our website. voicesfromtheopioidcrisis.com.
It could be something as simple as how you felt and experienced the poems or which poems spoke to you and why. It doesn’t matter if you know me personally or not, and it wouldn’t take very long.
Writing the poems helped me in my darkest days and, perhaps, nudged me along to help others deal with the loss of a loved one by baring my soul on full display. I know this book has helped many, as people have reached out privately.
So, if you could spare a few minutes, please help me on my journey to become a better writer and human being who is trying to “heal the world,” one person at a time.
Sincerely,
Harris Lee Insler, aka H Lee

06/28/2026

This is a review from Amazon: A Journey Through Loss, Love, and Healing

I bought From Mourning to Life because it was written by one of my high school English teachers, Harris Insler, and after reading it, I honestly kept thinking about how difficult this book must have been for him to write.

Harris was one of those teachers students always remembered because you could tell he genuinely cared about what he was doing and about the students around him. Looking back on it years later, you realize he made learning fun in a way a lot of teachers couldn’t, and he definitely had a big effect on my life.

Knowing the author and knowing that these poems come from real experiences and years of grief, makes the book hit differently. He takes you through the journey honestly; the pain, guilt, isolation, memories, and the struggle of trying to move forward after losing his son. What stood out to me most is how open he was about everything, because that couldn’t have been easy to put out into the world.

The poems feel personal and real, not forced, which actually makes them more powerful. You can feel how much love there is behind the sadness, and over time you start to see moments of healing and purpose mixed in with the grief.

It’s emotional, meaningful, and takes courage to write something this honest. I’m glad I read it, and I think it could really connect with anyone who has experienced loss or knows someone who has.

James In NY
Buy on Amazon by searching by title!

06/28/2026

Try it . . . it might help you on your journey

Send a message to learn more

06/28/2026

Statistics tell us how big the opioid crisis is.

Stories tell us what it feels like.

Over the past few months we've shared stories from people like Chris Hopkins and Bradley Stokesbury—stories of addiction, recovery, loss, love, and survival.

Now we're asking for something important:

More voices.

If you've lived through addiction, recovery, overdose, grief, or loss—your story matters.

You don't need to be a writer.

You just need to tell the truth.

Learn more or share your story: https://voicesfromtheopioidcrisis.com/submit-story/

06/09/2026

If the Lights Are Off, the Smoke Is On: Marijuana’s Growing Presence in High Schools

For many years, ma*****na use among teenagers was often viewed as something that happened at parties or on weekends. Today, many school administrators say that has changed.

A recent Wall Street Journal report highlighted a growing challenge facing high schools across America: keeping ma*****na off campus. From THC v**e pens hidden in sleeves and backpacks to cannabis edibles disguised as ordinary snacks, schools are finding that ma*****na has become increasingly difficult to detect—and increasingly common.

Read my full blog:

For many years, ma*****na use among teenagers was often viewed as something that happened at parties or on weekends. Today, many school administrators say

05/26/2026

I want to give a big thank you to all who have purchased my first book, From Mourning To Life. I am especially interested in finding out what you thought of it. It would help me to become a better writer as I am contemplating writing another book. It would also help if you all could write your reaction/review on Amazon and or Goodreads. It could be something as simple as how you felt and experienced the poems or highlighted the poems that spoke to you and why. It doesn’t matter if you know me personally or not and it wouldn’t take you very long. It would help me immensely going forward and might help others to also buy the book from Amazon. The writing of the poems helped me in my darkest days and perhaps nudged me along to help others deal with the loss of a loved one.
So, if you could spare a few minutes, please help me on my journey to become a better writer and human being who is trying to “heal the world,” one person at a time.

05/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HHeFLCBRj/

Send a message to learn more