Recovering Teen Addict Helps Others Find Recovery

Kimberly Schliekelman started with alcohol and marijuana, graduated to cocaine and crystal meth, overdosed twice, became a heroin addict, then got clean after seeking help through a drug treatment center.

All before age 18.

The Simi Valley resident hopes her harrowing journey to sobriety can serve as an example and give hope to other young people struggling with heroin addiction.

"It's just a matter of kids being willing to listen," Kimberly said recently while sitting in her family's home. "Because I know what it's like to be stuck in heroin addiction. Nothing gets through."

"If kids have that chance to actually withdraw, you get that moment of clarity. That's kind of what happened to me."

Kimberly has been clean for more than a year.

Last month, she addressed a packed community meeting in Simi Valley, recounting her descent into addiction and eventual recovery.  The response was outstanding.

Kimberly's counselor Stacey Haughawout said, "She can touch the youth community because of her age and her maturity and how much she's grown.  She's matured into just a really amazing young lady."

Kimberly has one life goal above all others: stay clean.

"At this point, I just want to become a functioning member of society," she said. "I just don't want to be part of the problem anymore."