COMMERCE, Ga. — As the race for the White House enters the home stretch, there's more competition for attention than ever. Political rallies and advertisements and pundits can feel ubiquitous.
Despite all the noise, it's the voters whose opinions matter the most. And in Georgia, their choice in November could decide the election.
That's why 11Alive's Sunday politics show, The Georgia Vote, works each week to make sure their views are at the center of the conversation.
This week's Voice of the Voter is dedicated to tackling a problem that's impacted thousands of Americans.
Meet recovery advocate Jon Langston
Langston is the founder of REBOOT Jackson, a recovery organization in Jackson County working to help people battling addiction. Langston said the work is urgent.
It's also personal.
On a driving tour of the Commerce neighborhood where he grew up and now resides, Langston looked back on memories of his early years.
"Some good, some bad, some that would get me in trouble," he said.
Langston described a close-knit community where drugs and alcohol weren't hard to find for someone who knew where to look.
"That ended up leading me down a road that led to addiction that spanned 25 years of my life," said Langston.
That road didn't last forever, though.
"September the 9th of this year, it'll be 16 years without any mind or mood altering substances," said Langston.
September is also National Recovery Month. Alongside others from the Georgia Council for Recovery and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Langston will be spending the month crisscrossing the state on the Georgia Recovers Bus Tour. Their goal is to spread awareness of recovery resources. More than 60 events are planned as part of the tour.
He hopes his path -- and his ability to write a new chapter in his own story -- inspires others struggling with active addiction.
"If there's breath, there's hope," said Langston.
His biggest issue this election season
Langston's paying close attention to how the major party candidates talk about recovery.
"There's only one major thing and that is how the major parties are willing to address recovery," said Langston. "Whether that's harm reduction, prevention, treatment, housing--all of those things are huge issues."
His biggest worry
The recovery advocate said politicians need to start paying more attention to the problem of addiction.
"During the debate that was out here in Atlanta, the question was asked of the candidates about recovery and how will that be addressed," said Langston. "Neither of the major parties answered that question. My worry is that neither of the major parties will address the biggest issue in the country."
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal the scope of the problem. The federal agency estimates more than 107,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States last year.
What he's optimistic about
Despite the challenges, Langston sees plenty to be hopeful for.
"For years and years when I was in active use, I made sure my voice was heard when I needed something that wasn't on the right path," he said. "Today I get the opportunity to use that voice for something positive."
He's inspired by others who do the same.
"People in recovery are some of the most loyal and hardest working people you'll meet," said Langston. "Let your voice be heard so people really know what's going on in the community."
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can call or text the CARES Warm Line every day from 8:30 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. You can also call the SAMHSA National Helpline 24/7.
The Georgia Vote airs Sundays at 11:00 A.M. on 11Alive.