“Jail was the best thing that ever happened to me!” Adam Bartlett

Police officer Adam Bartlett had arrested more than his share of people, with drug possession and drunk driving violations topping the list.   He was doing the job he’d dreamed of as a child, ever since the time his brother come home in his uniform and police car.  He thought it was a job where he could help people every day and make a huge difference in people’s lives.

With about 10 years of service under his belt, Adam sustained an injury, which led to extensive treatments and ultimately, a dependence on pain medication.  One problem led to another, and Adam eventually lost his job.  Money ran out quickly, and he was unable to afford the pills he became addicted to.  Out of desperation, Adam robbed a pharmacy.  He demanded they put all the Oxycontin pills they had in a bag and made his quick get-away through the streets of Chicopee.

Only minutes after thinking he’d gotten away with the heist the police were on his tail.  What he didn’t know was the pharmacy worker had filled the bag with placeboes. Even more critical to Adam’s fate was they also put a tracking device in the bag.   Adam’s desperation kicked into high gear, and he jumped on the Mass Pike at a high speed towards Boston, with police cars flashing lights and sirens chasing right behind him. 

Turns out that drugs weren’t the only thing Adam could not afford.   Fuel for his car was another. After a 60-mile high-speed chase on the turnpike, he ran out of gas in Framingham.   Police surrounded his car, Adam surrendered, and was arrested.  And landed promptly in jail. 

This event was the lowest point in Adam’s life.  However, he considers it a life-saving moment, and the best thing that could have ever happened. 

Listen to Adam tell his story and you’ll hear how his life rapidly spiraled down, and miraculously, how his dream of helping people every day and making a huge difference in their lives found its way to come true in ways he never imagined.