By Rubin E. Grant
Taylin McCarver isn’t shy about discussing substance use addiction, even though it has caused tremendous pain and grief for her and her family.
McCarver’s brother, T.J. McCarver, died in 2018 at the age of 27 after an eight-year struggle with substance use disorder. He was killed in a car accident while under the influence of numerous substances.
McCarver described her family’s experience with her brother’s battle with addiction as a roller coaster.
“We had people try to break into our house to get to (my brother’s) stash,” she said. “He wrecked numerous cars and I watched him get arrested. The list goes on.”
Since her brother’s death, McCarver has made it her mission to speak out and connect with families who have experienced similar struggles.
“We’ve always been pretty open about it,” McCarver said of her and her parents. “It’s something our family has gone through because we have a history of addiction on my dad’s side of the family. It can happen to anybody.”
The Addiction Prevention Coalition has chosen McCarver as its 2024 Champion for the Cause for its eighth annual End Addiction BHAM Walk, which will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Walk Amphitheater in Birmingham.
According to APC Executive Director Carie Wimberly, the event was organized to help raise awareness of the substance use epidemic taking place in communities across the state and nation.
Since its inception, APC has been on a mission to reduce the rate of death by overdose in Alabama and the stigma surrounding substance use disorder by educating the community about the dangers of all substance use.
From June 2022 to June 2023, the Centers for Disease Control reports that Alabama saw a 16.93% increase in drug overdose deaths. With more than 109,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2022, the walk allows the community to remember those who have died and those who are in recovery.
You Are Not Alone
Wimberly said McCarver is a great representative for what APC does.
“An important part of Taylin’s mission is to let others know that they do not have to struggle alone,” Wimberly said. “One way that she demonstrates this mission is through her leadership of Team TJ in efforts to raise money annually for community programming to not only raise awareness about SUD and grief but also to encourage hope for others. Taylin’s ability to use her own personal experience with SUD to help guide others is why she is our 2024 champion for the End Addiction Walk.”
McCarver, who lives in Alabaster, is a career coach for Shelby County Schools, after previously working as an academic adviser at UAB. She appreciates being tabbed as the Champion for the Cause.
“I’m superexcited to be recognized, but nothing’s changed for me,” McCarver said. “I do everything a champion does already, so this is another chance for me to speak on it and expand awareness. It’s not just me that is a champion, it’s everyone involved every day. APC and Carie do a good job of keeping people informed.
“I want to let others know that addiction is bound to happen and we have a community and resources that have rehabilitative services for them.”
Each year, McCarver and her family walk as “Team TJ” to honor his memory during the End Addiction BHAM Walk. They also create a new Team TJ T-shirt before each walk to sell and raise money for APC. Proceeds from T-shirt sales go toward financial assistance to those battling addiction and those in recovery to attend rehab services.
The EAB Walk is APC’s biggest fundraising campaign, bringing thousands together each year to spread awareness about the drug epidemic in Alabama.
To participate in the free event, check-in for the EAB Walk will be at 10 a.m., followed by a short program at 11 a.m. and the walk beginning at noon.
“I think the main priority is to raise awareness about how many people are impacted and to make it more relatable and comfortable speaking about it,” McCarver said. “The more it’s talked about, people realize there’s not as big a stigma and what they are going through others have experienced, too.”
A festival following the walk will feature a sober circle celebration, memory angel, photo booth, free Narcan training provided by the Jefferson County Department of Health, food trucks, free HIV testing and other activities.
DJ Floyd will provide the music, and guests can participate in line dancing. Resource Row will include more than 40 organizations and services, offering interactions with a diverse range of prevention, treatment, recovery and health organizations.
“The EAB Walk has become a spring tradition for our community. It is an eclectic group of people who come together with a singular passion to do all they can to save lives and bring hope,” Wimberly said.
“The first year we were expecting about 100 and almost 1,000 came out, so we knew this was something the community wanted. In eight years due to our sponsors, we have increased our offerings and participation.
“This will be our second year at City Walk. We had it there last year and everybody loved it. We’re open for 3,000. We had 2,500 last year, so we’re hoping to get there. I hope all will come and join us for this fun and important event.”
To register or learn more about the End Addiction BHAM Walk, visit endaddictionbham.org.
