If you don’t work in law enforcement, then you probably never heard of Tawnya Murray.

Tawnya, though, has a story to tell. It is an important story.

Tawnya is an addict. She started using opiods to deal with a medical condition when she was younger. That turned into methamphetamine use that cost her to los everyting. She lost her son and daughter, and she lost the trust of her family.

Today, Tawnya is working with the CARE Committee. The committee is made up of various organizations and individuals, including people who have experienced homelessness themselves.

The goal is to help people and raise awareness about a huge problem that Butte is not immune to. We have a drug problem, and we have a homeless problem. Tawnya knows all too well about both of them.

Now clean, Tawyna is trying to help others. After fighting off the urge to use drugs, that seems to be her No. 1 mission.

Tawyna definitely has a story to tell. It is one that everyone should hear. Addicts come from all walks of life. Tonya grew up mostly on a farm in Eastern Montana, living a life where values and integrity were stressed.

Through the use of pain pills, though, she slipped down a dark road that led her to prison and then basically living on the streets.

Listen in to this podcast to hear Tawnya talk about falling into drug use, rising out of it and falling again. Listen as she talks about the cruelty of losing her children and how she takes accountability for her actions.

Listen as she talks about what it is like to live on the streets. This really is a story we should all hear. We will never solve the problem of drugs and homelessness, but maybe we can all help make things better if we try to understand those problems. That is what Tawnya is doing today. 

Today’s podcast is presented by Casagrande’s Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat.