Human: A Project by PARS Topeka
Substance use doesn’t look the same for everyone, and neither does recovery.
Substance use affects individuals and families in deeply personal, often invisible ways. But too often, the people behind those stories are reduced to labels, left to navigate shame and silence alone.
At PARS, we know that addiction does not define a person, and neither does recovery. That’s why we created Human, a storytelling campaign dedicated to sharing the real, complex, and honest experiences of those who have been affected or touched by substance use. Whether someone is just beginning to seek help, walking through long-term recovery, supporting a loved one, or working in prevention, Human is about recognizing the truth behind the struggle: that every single person deserves to be seen as more than what they’ve been through.
“This campaign was built intentionally to combat the stigma that still surrounds addiction and recovery,” says Mandy Czechanski, Executive Director at PARS. “When people feel ashamed, they stay silent. And when they stay silent, they don’t get help. We created Human to break that silence and to remind those who need it that they are not alone.”
Stigma isolates. It silences. And it can convince some to hide their truth instead of healing from it. That’s why fighting it matters.
By bringing these stories forward, we will:
- Reduce stigma around addiction and recovery.
- Build empathy across our community.
- Encourage open, judgment-free conversations about substance use.
- Celebrate the courage it takes to keep going—whatever that looks like.
If you feel like your story belongs here (and we believe it does), we want to hear from you. You don’t have to be in recovery. You don’t have to share your name. You just have to be willing to speak from the heart.
Call us at 785-266-8666 or email us at info@parstopeka.org
You can share anonymously or be interviewed like others in the campaign, whatever feels right for you. Because when we take the time to listen, we remember something important: behind every statistic, every label, every struggle, there’s a person.
And that person is Human.