In the fall of 2016, I participated in an immersive learning project understanding the implications and complexities of Delaware County (Ind.)'s meth "problem". I contributed photographs that were published in the project magazine and website. The stories focused on meth's impact on a community as well as highlighting stories on the efforts being made to overcome addiction.
Rhea and Brian Graham sit on their porch in Muncie, Ind. Two and a half years ago, the couple was caught cooking meth in their house, leading to their imprisonment. While Brian is still under house arrest, they have been sober since they were arrested and work today to help others recover from addiction.
Brian Graham pets his dog Shadow at his home in Muncie. Although Brian is under house arrest, he is allowed to work, go to church and lead meetings for recovering addicts.
Rhea Graham kisses her daughter Kira outside their home. Rhea realized the effect her addiction had on her children when she talked to them on the phone from jail, motivating her to overcome her drug problem.
Brian Graham leads a weekly meeting called New Beginnings for recovering addicts at the Delaware County Community Corrections Building.
Brian and Rhea got matching tattoos when they were released from jail, celebrating their relationship as well as their sobriety.
Dori Granados prays during a service at Urban Light Community Church in Muncie, Ind. Granados started an addiction recovery program, which houses up to six women at a time, after struggling with drug addiction herself for many years. She developed the idea for the home while in prison for drug charges when God told her she needed to help addicts like herself.
Dori Granados and Theresa Miller review Theresa’s weekly journal as part of the three-phase program. Miller’s five children were detained by the Department of Child Services after her home’s water and electricity were shut off as a result of her drug addiction, but she hopes to regain custody of her children after successfully completing the program and recovering from her addiction.
Dori lets Theresa borrow her cell phone to call her Department of Child Services case manager. The women are not allowed to have a cell phone until they reach phase two of the program when they are expected to find a job.
Theresa and Jessica Hardin get ready for their days, whether it be visiting their children or going to work. Four women currently live in the house and share one bathroom and two bedrooms.
Dori examines Theresa's drug screen before she is allowed to attend a supervised visit with her children. All of Theresa's urine screens have been negative since June 2016 when she began the program.
Dori washes dishes in the kitchen of the Urban Lights Home. While Dori lives in her own house a few blocks away and holds an administrative job at the Urban LIghts Church, she spends much of her time in the home with the women in order to assist them with their recovery.