MONROE, N.C. — A former Monroe police officer resigned from his job after he got a DWI. Now he has turned his life around and is helping others.
What You Need To Know
The Union County Sheriff’s Office says they have seen an increase in drug overdose calls in the last 10 years
In 2011 it had about 83 service calls for drug overdose; in 2021 that number more than doubled to 173 calls
The office says alcohol is also a major problem and encourages people not to drink and drive
Darren Nash grew up in a family that loves cooking. He mostly watched his mother in the kitchen when he was a child. But as he got older he started cooking his own dishes.
“It’s something I learned on my own,” Nash said. “I used to watch the Food Network all the time.”
Nash likes cooking because it puts him at ease. It was also an activity that used to fuel a bad habit.
“It was always something to do while I drank, it kept me busy,” Nash said. “Sometimes I would cook for four or six hours at a time just to say I wasn’t sitting still and drinking.”
His bad habit landed him in a dark place. He had to resign from his job as a Monroe police officer. Nash says this was his first of three DWIs.
“That was my first bottom I ever hit,” Nash said. “I continued on for several years. I just could never quit.”
He went to treatment centers and relapsed several times. A year and a half ago he came to the Bridge to Recovery treatment center. He says his spirituality helped him find the way.
“I was completely broken down and I knew God was the only answer,” Nash said. “So I reached out to him and told him I needed help. He helped me. I am almost 18 months sober.”
Shortly after going through the program, he was offered a job by the executive director of Bridge to Recovery, Lew Davis. He saw a lot of potential in Nash.
“Darren is a cornerstone around here,” Davis said. “He helps keep everything running, and I know I can go to him when I am not sure what to do.”
Nash thought his purpose was to be a police officer. But now he has found another way to help others. He says don’t be ashamed to talk to others.
“That was a huge part of my story, shame,” Nash said. “I didn’t want anyone to know I was an alcoholic. Now I wear a T-shirt that says it, as long as it could help somebody else.”