Honoring Our Loved Ones One Beat At A Time
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
Honoring Our Loved Ones One Beat At A Time
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
This photo is my new journey and forever reality. The place that I embrace. A cemetery we so gracefully call “THE GROVE my son’s resting place. His physical body underneath the earth as his spirit flies free and strong above me, around me and inside me. Every time I read the heading I hear his voice saying “Mom“. I agonize over his substance use illness and from his years of incarceration. As a mother I want to protect my child from the world knowing he suffered from this horrible desease. No he did not overdose, but he battled this illness until the day he had a substance use mental break in the street and was killed by a motor vehicle. We are a community STIGMATIZED by mental health and substance use. Some are afraid to share their stories because of the shame they put upon us in communities of color.
Mothers Against Drugs (MADMOMS) is a transformative movement that seeks to inspire and empower mothers and other family members who are supporting individuals affected by substance use disorders. Through this movement, we unite to promote recovery, sustain recovery, and advocate for meaningful change By using the “Engaging the Community for Change” model. We achieve this by fostering healthy lifestyles through creative mediums such as the creative arts, songwriting, music, storytelling, and rap. We engage in innovative strategies for recovery and healing, fostering community connections to establish a network of collaborative partnerships that support a comprehensive approach to sustained recovery.
Vision Statement:
To create a community where individuals and families are empowered through education, support, and resources, fostering awareness, prevention, and recovery from substance use.
Our community is tragically impacted by the devastating consequences of drugged drivers, drunk drivers, and other substance-related incidents leading to fatal accidents, overdoses, suicides, and homicides. It is imperative to address the interconnected nature of these issues comprehensively. Our movement extends support not only to those mourning the loss of loved ones due to substance-related deaths but also to individuals grieving any form of loss through violence. Together, we strive to promote healthy coping mechanisms and advocate for a drug-free lifestyle. Let us join forces in spreading awareness and collectively say no to drugs.
— MADMOMS
Family Support Services (FSS) warmly offers compassionate emotional and practical assistance to families navigating the profound loss of a loved one due to overdose or substance use-related causes. Our dedicated team is here to provide in-person, virtual, and tele-support services, guiding you through the complexities of funeral arrangements and addressing any questions or concerns you may have. With a deep understanding rooted in personal experiences of loss due to substance use disorders, our staff is committed to offering empathetic and respectful support during this incredibly challenging time. We are here to walk alongside you, ensuring you don’t have to face this journey alone.
The "Engaging Communities for Change" model is designed to educate and empower communities about substance use disorders in an enjoyable and interactive way. This approach integrates fun, creative activities with educational content to foster understanding, reduce stigma, and promote healthier choices.
Our mission at MADMOMS Read to Achieve for Drug Free Communities, in partnership with Boston Public Libraries is to educate and empower children through literature about substance use awareness. By providing valuable information through books, we aim to help children make informed decisions, resist peer pressure, and recognize warning signs of addiction and substance use disorder. Through prevention efforts, we strive to support children in avoiding harmful patterns of drug and alcohol use and promoting a drug-free community.
"5ive" born Ja’Maar D. Johnson was his mother’s one and only son. He had so many nicknames. He would say “You can call me Flyboy 5ive, The Kid, Jay Jay the Jet plane, Jay, or just 5ive. Whatever you want to do, but if you don’t know me, it's Mr. Ja'Maar Johnson to you!“ He loved music, writing songs, rapping, drawing, playing football and lacrosse. He loved the color red. His life long dream was to be a rap or football star and make his family proud. He had the most amazing smile, a larger than life personality and so many different talents.
In October of 2009 a tragedy happened. As a victim of community violence he suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. The surgeon had to leave the bullet in because of where it had positioned itself. That was the beginning of Ja'Maar's battle with opioids. He quickly became addicted to the opioid painkiller that was prescribed to him by the doctor.
If you would like your child or someone you love that have been taken by a substance use related death, homicide, suicide, or accidents, added to our Virtual Hearts Memorial, please email a photo, their name, both dates and manner of transition to: Janice@mothersagainstdrugs5.org
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