Angelina French [Madison Apprenticeship Program series]

Angelina French is 27. In 2003, her sister Carla was diagnosed with Goodpasture’s Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease.  Carla fell ill while she was pregnant and gave birth prematurely. The baby survived, but weeks later Carla seized, suffered heart-attacks, strokes, and was placed on life-support. She died several months later, at the age of 20.

After Carla's death, Angelina became dependent on oxycontin, and later heroin. One day, in a grocery store parking lot, police arrested Angelina for possession of narcotics.  She was offered deferred prosecution on the condition that she complete drug court. She accepted.

As part of the agreement, Angelina accepted treatment at an area methadone clinic. She eventually stopped using heroin, and is now an expectant mother living with her fiancé, Frankie. She hopes to return to college, possibly to become a therapist or social worker, but says her priority is now the baby.

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