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
Mission Statement
Janice V. Johnson, Founder & Executive Director
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. (MADMOMS) is a survivor-led movement dedicated to empowering mothers and families affected by substance use disorders. Founded by a woman with 22 years of personal recovery after losing her son by a substance use related cause, MADMOMS unites voices to champion recovery and advocate for transformative change. Our “Engaging the Community for Change” model promotes healthy lifestyles through creative outlets such as holistic healing, music, personal storytelling, and performance. Together, we build collaborative partnerships to ensure a sustainable approach to recovery, instilling hope and resilience in our communities.
Review our programs and services to learn how you can get involved and find support.
MADMOMS Read to Achieve for Drug Free Communities
Groups & Workhops
There’s Healing in the Song
Keep Love Alive
One Click Village
Mom ♥️
There’s Freedom in the Truth
This photograph marks the beginning of my new journey, a forever reality embraced in quiet grace. Here lies "THE GROVE," my son’s resting place, where memories linger and love finds its voice. His physical form rests beneath the earth, yet his spirit soars—free, fierce, and everlasting, circling above me, wrapping around my heart, a gentle whisper, “Mom,” echoing in the silence.
I find myself grappling with a heavy heart, haunted by the shadows of his silent battle. As a mother, fiercely protective, I wish I could shield him from a world unkind to those who bear this burden. Though he did not succumb to the dark depths of overdose, he fought valiantly against an illness that sought to consume him, navigating a life entangled in incarceration's grip, until that fateful day when the streets claimed him.
Together, we stand within a community stigmatized by the weight of mental health and substance use, voices hushed, stories hidden beneath layers of shame, particularly in the rich tapestry of our communities of color. But here, in this sacred space, let us find strength to share our truths, to honor our loved ones, to rise above the stigma that seeks to silence, and create a chorus of healing, love, and remembrance.
As I stand in “THE GROVE,” I choose to embrace the memories, the pain, the love that remains, for in his spirit, I find a path to resilience, a journey toward healing that begins with our stories.
The Gift ♥️
The Gift of Life: Ja’Maar’s Story
"5ive," born Ja’Maar D. Johnson, was his mother’s beloved only son. With a strong presence, he had a range of nicknames that reflected his dynamic personality. He’d often say, “You can call me Flyboy 5ive, The Kid, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Jay, or just 5ive. But if you don’t know me, it’s Mr. Ja'Maar Johnson to you.” Ja'Maar had a deep passion for music, expressing himself through writing songs and rapping. He also enjoyed drawing and was athletic, playing both football and lacrosse. His favorite color was red, and he aspired to be a rap star or a football player, driven by a desire to make his family proud.
With a captivating smile and a strong character, Ja'Maar was a young man filled with potential. However, in October 2009, tragedy struck when he became a victim of community violence, suffering a gunshot wound to his neck. Due to the bullet's precarious location, the surgeons had to leave it in, which set the stage for Ja'Maar’s struggle with opioids, as he became dependent on the pain medication prescribed to him.