Heroin addiction is a health epidemic that's destroying families and taking lives. A groundbreaking treatment is helping battle the resurgence of the dangerous drug.
"I first started with cocaine. After cocaine I went right to heroin," said Kristi Laird, who was hooked on heroin for 12 years.
Now Laird is a mother of two young children, one of whom is a 3 year-old boy battling leukemia. Laird has a lot to fight and live for.
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"We don't wake up and say we want to be an addict. There are circumstances in life that lead us to that. You just can't stop," Laird said.
According the latest numbers, in one year, Florida saw a 126 percent increase in heroin overdoses, and a 111 percent increase in heroin deaths.
Laird recently had a breakthrough in treatment. Some call it a "magic shot."
"I receive it once a month and it's wonderful. I've had no cravings since," Laird said.
Vivitrol has been used to treat alcohol addiction for years, but it's now a powerful tool to fight opioid addiction.
It reduces cravings and if a user tries to get high, Vivitrol blocks the euphoria.
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The Duval County Jail has joined others across the country now using the medication, with taxpayers picking up the cost.
"This disease is very powerful," said Dr. Raymond Pomm vice president of medical services at River Region Human Services, who oversees treatment of the inmates. He said inmates must be motivated and undergo rigorous screening to qualify.
"The medication is expensive. We nor the state can afford to just give it willy-nilly to anyone that just asks for it," Pomm said.
Each shot costs taxpayers $907. Twenty-four inmates have received it so far. Pomm said there is nothing "magic" about Vivtrol. It’s a tool to be used with hard work and support.
"Unfortunately when people go to treatment without all the support wrapped around them which is the vast majority, many, many, many just can't make it," Pomm said.
Laird agrees. If it weren't for her support group, therapy and Vivitrol, she wouldn't be here today, a hopeful mother with so much to look forward to.
"Be there for like homecomings, proms, all the dances, have a nice house, have all the nice things and be the mother I should be,” Laird said.
Counselors hope giving inmates the medication 1-2 months before release will help them fight the urge to use again and keep them from ending up back to jail.