Don't Stop Praying

Here are the first three chapters of "Don't Stop Praying." 

Through these chapters, you will gain insight into the struggles, the call for justice, and the unwavering bond between mother and son. 

Chapter 1

 My son was thrust into a twelve-year struggle with substance use disorder following a tragic accident in high school, where he was run over by a truck. During a grueling year-long recovery, Troy's body developed a dependency on pain medication—a dependency that took hold even more fiercely when his prescriptions were abruptly stopped. 

 Over those long years, Troy fought valiantly to rid himself of this devastating disease. His relationship with God deepened, reflecting a desire for healing and redemption that never wavered. I witnessed firsthand the toll that addiction can take on someone you love, and it was heartbreaking. 

Throughout his journey, Troy enrolled in several rehabilitation programs, desperately seeking help and support in his quest for sobriety. We learned together that addiction is not a moral failing but a disease that requires proper medical treatment and, most importantly, love and support from those closest to the individual.

Despite his relentless efforts, Troy continued to battle his addiction, experiencing oscillating periods of sobriety followed by painful relapses. Addiction, like any chronic illness, has its ups and downs, yet Troy remained determined to overcome it. 

One fateful day, however, Troy relapsed after reconnecting with old high school friends. While sitting in his car, he succumbed to his doubts and took the Xanax that lay in his hand. This relapse hit him harder than ever before, leaving him gasping for breath. 

Unbeknownst to Troy, a store owner noticed his slumped figure and sensed something was terribly wrong. He called the police, who arrived shortly after to assess the situation. When the officers found him unresponsive, they called for paramedics, and it wasn't long before they arrived. 

As I rushed to the scene, panic coursed through my veins. It was only when I saw my son being wheeled into the ambulance that the gravity of the situation hit me. Troy was nearly gone. They had to use Narcan to revive him, a moment that brought him back from the brink of death. 

After waking up in a hospital bed, two police officers were waiting to question him. I tried to urge them to let Troy make decisions when he was more lucid, but my pleas were ignored. 

“The choice is yours, Troy. We can help you if you become an informant for us. This could be your chance to turn things around, or you can face jail time. The decision is tough, but we need to know now.” 

In that moment, Troy wasn't in a state to make such a weighty decision. He signed the informant contract without fully understanding the implications, believing that the justice system would protect him. Yet, he was coerced into this role, a desperate act made under duress. 

Despite his struggles with addiction, Troy expressed his concerns to the officers, pleading for time to focus on his recovery. But they dismissed him. 

What followed was a tangled web of exploitation and manipulation. Troy became entangled in a world of deceit and danger, forced to navigate treacherous waters with little support. Text exchanges with law enforcement revealed a disturbing pattern of neglect, as they ignored his repeated warnings about his inability to continue participating in drug buys due to his ongoing battle with addiction. 

Even his probation officer, who should have been advocating for his well-being, seemed complicit in the scheme. Instead of providing support, they pushed Troy deeper into a situation that only exacerbated his vulnerabilities. 

Troy's attempts to stay clean were undermined by the pressures of being an informant. He began using drugs again, and his tests showed he was not maintaining sobriety.

Despite his desperate cries for help, the police continued to pressure him. Even when he sought refuge in a mental health facility, hoping to escape the chaos of being an informant, the detectives contacted him immediately upon his release, desperate to use him again. They knew he was struggling but chose to ignore it. 

Eventually, the inevitable tragedy occurred. Officers sent Troy on another buy, fitting him with a camera and microphone. Though the buy was successful, they failed to follow up on him, leaving him with the very drugs he was fighting to resist. 

What happened next was a painful irony. Holding onto the pills throughout the weekend, Troy succumbed to the pressure and took one to calm his nerves before starting a new job. Unbeknownst to him, it was not just any pill—it was straight fentanyl. 

He fell to his knees, dying in a praying position on the floor of my home. My son died alone, scared, and as a direct consequence of the neglect from the detectives and probation officers who were supposed to protect him. They failed Troy time and again, and now, he was gone. 

Chapter 2

What do we think about when we learn about Troy’s story? Is it the officers in charge of him when he was an informant? Is it the drug dealer who sold him contaminated pills? Or is it the rights that were stripped from him as he faced his demons? 

As a mother, I looked at this from the perspective of the unrelenting pain my son endured. Yet, there’s another question that haunts me: Was my son the first to fall victim to such negligence? 

 Rachel Morningstar Hoffman’s tragic tale serves as a haunting reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows of law enforcement operations. Her story is not just a tragic tale of a life cut short but a clarion call for change. 

On May 7, 2008, Rachel’s life was forever altered when she was coerced into becoming a confidential informant to evade prison time for a minor infraction. Her tragic fate revealed the flaws in the system, as she was thrust into a world fraught with danger, ultimately leading to her demise. 

Rachel’s death sparked a nationwide conversation about the treatment of informants and the urgent need for reform. The passing of “Rachel’s Law” sought to prevent future tragedies by imposing stricter regulations on the use of confidential informants in Florida. 

Chapter 3 

As I reflect on my son’s story, I am reminded of countless others like him who have suffered due to systemic failures. The Troy Bill is my response—a lifeline to protect those who, like my son, find themselves vulnerable and exploited. 

The Troy Bill will establish clear guidelines on how informants are used, ensuring that no one on probation or pre-trial detention is coerced into this role. If this bill had been in place, my son would still be alive today. 

No one grappling with addiction should be forced into a position that jeopardizes their recovery. The police's actions directly contributed to Troy’s downfall, and it is time to hold them accountable. 

The stories of individuals like Logan, Troy, Matthew, Bruce, Tyler, Rachel, and many more have shed light on the injustices and vulnerabilities faced by confidential informants—individuals caught in cycles of exploitation and betrayal. This book is not only a testament to their struggles but also a call to action for change. 

Together, we must advocate for a more equitable system, where the rights and dignity of all individuals are respected. We cannot allow the tragic fates of these young lives to be in vain. The fight for the Troy Bill is not just for my son but for every family who deserves a chance at healing without fear of exploitation. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." It is our duty to ensure that justice prevails for Troy and countless others who have suffered due to systemic negligence. Together, we can build a future where compassion, understanding, and accountability reign.