Tony R. Johnson: From drug and alcohol abuser to community advocate

Who do you call when gangrene infects your leg and whole-body sepsis seeps in, leaving you in a coma-like state for three days and nights? How do you react when Veterans Affairs doctors give up on you and your uncle calls your mother from your hospital bedside to tell her that your survival prospects don’t look good? Tony R. Johnson called on God through prayer with his uncle, the Rev. William M. Brown. 

It’s been 14 years since Tony R. Johnson’s ankle accident, which resulted in over 10 botched operations and eventual amputation of his lower right leg. Since then, Johnson has recommitted his life to Christ and found his voice through service as chairman of deacons at Highland Baptist Church of Albuquerque and as a community advocate for youth, senior citizens, and veterans. Johnson’s goal is to inspire people to have hope. “Regardless of the situation you’re facing, know that there’s going to be detours, obstacles, and distractions along the way, just hold on to faith, keep moving forward,” he said.

Johnson is an overcomer who freely shares his testimony to encourage veterans and others who are struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and personal loss. In the 70’s Johnson was stationed in Europe where he was exposed to drugs, booze, and partying; subsequently, he became an alcoholic. After leaving the Army in 1979, he spiraled into drug abuse as well. For 10 to 15 years, he was, at times, homeless and found himself sleeping on park benches, school house steps, in back of vehicles, and going to the Veteran’s Affair’s Medical Center just to freshen up. Johnson said he has lived on the streets of Albuquerque and in homeless shelters, including the Albuquerque Rescue Mission (now SteelBridge) and the Good Shephard Center. When he sought relief from his addictions at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, he was admitted into various rehabilitation facilities in several states including Arizona, Texas, Kansas, and North Dakota. “All of them were revolving doors offering 90-day programs of group therapy,” said Johnson. At one facility, Johnson said he was told to simply “get a job and stay out of trouble.” He was dismissed from another facility three days after his arrival.   

In 2008, Johnson’s ankle was accidently broken when a ladder fell from underneath him. After several bungled operations his ankle became infected with a staphylococcus bacterium which was untreated for several months, causing his whole leg to become septic. In 2009, he was admitted to the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center where he was comatose for three days. In January 2010, doctors told Johnson’s mother and his sister that he needed to stop abusing drugs because his leg needed to be amputated—in March 2010 doctors amputated his leg. This was the beginning of Johnson’s U-turn. He was embarrassed that the doctors shared with his mother and sister he was an addict, and he was depressed and angry about losing his leg. Johnson mentioned that one morning at 2:30 a.m., he called the Rev. William M. Brown, pastor of Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church, to ask him to pray for him. They prayed and Johnson’s recovery journey began. 

Everyone’s faith journey is unique. Johnson became the only African American member of Highland Baptist Church; he started giving presentations to veterans about overcoming drug abuse and the stigma of losing a limb; he participated in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and the Golden Age Games; and, he has become an advocate in the Albuquerque community. “Helping others has become my therapy; and faith is why I’m still here,” said Johnson.

Today, Johnson is passionate about helping facilitate community programs for young people and veterans. He serves on the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Department of Senior Affairs Retired Seniors Volunteer Program Advisory Council, and Albuquerque’s Center for Peace and Justice Board of Directors. He formerly served as coordinator of the Watch D.O.G.S. program at Wilson Middle School in southeast Albuquerque and Veterans Advocate with Lawyers Helping Warriors. 

“Sometimes I wished the Lord would have found me 30 years ago, 40 years ago…I might have been better off than what I am now. But sometimes the Lord wants us to learn the lessons of failure so we can be a better person,” Johnson said.