Kimberly Sue Livres

Getting Wrecked provides a rich ethnographic account of women battling addiction as they cycle through jail, prison, and community treatment programs in Massachusetts. As incarceration has become a predominant American social policy for managing the problem of drug use, including the opioid epidemic, this book examines how prisons and jails have attempted concurrent programs of punishment and treatment to deal with inmates struggling with a diagnosis of substance use disorder. An addiction physician and medical anthropologist, Kimberly Sue powerfully illustrates the impacts of incarceration on women’s lives as they seek well-being and better health while confronting lives marked by structural violence, gender inequity, and ongoing trauma.

A butterfly serves as a powerful symbol of overcoming feelings of loneliness and despair in this children's book. It emphasizes the message that with faith in God, anything is possible, reinforcing the idea of God's love and support. Children will learn that they hold greater value than even the smallest creations, instilling a sense of worth and hope. This uplifting story aims to resonate with young readers, making it a cherished book to be shared across generations.