A Mother Builds Back On Track After A Fentanyl Loss

Ten years on WHKP doesn’t happen by accident, and neither does real community change. We sit down with Lynette Oliver of Back on Track Addiction Ministries, a Henderson County leader whose work is reshaping how families in Western North Carolina find addiction help fast, safely, and with dignity. After losing her son Michael to a fentanyl overdose, Lynette channels grief into a mission that now helps place roughly 40 to 60 people a month into detox, rehab, and mental health treatment. We dig into what those “placements” really look like, how insurance and care needs affect the plan, and why one-size-fits-all recovery can fail people who are dealing with both substance use disorder and mental health challenges. Lynette shares how Back on Track builds relationships with treatment facilities across the United States, including faith-based programs when appropriate, while still making sure clinical mental health support is available when it’s needed most. The conversation gets practical and honest about what’s showing up on the ground right now: the ongoing grip of alcohol addiction, the rising threat of kratom as a legal “gas station high,” and the painful stigma that keeps families quiet even after an overdose. We also talk about the Monday family support meeting, the Tuesday recovery class, and why serving a meal is sometimes a lifeline, not a perk. If this story hits close to home, share it with someone who needs it, and subscribe so you don’t miss future Hometown Hero conversations. If you find value here, leave a review and help more listeners discover resources, hope, and real next steps.