[Part 1: Families] [Part 2: Investigators] [Part 3: Recovery] BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — This week, we've reported on some of the devastating impacts fentanyl has had as it's been bought and sold around North Dakota. One man who almost died from fentanyl was given a way to put his life back toge ther. There is such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen. But Michael Sloan is right where he's supposed to be. After a few months on the job, Sloan knows the menu and is fitting right in at a downtown Bismarck restaurant. But Sloan's life wasn't so simple last winter. "I was tired of breaking the law. I was tired of dealing drugs. I was tired of using drugs. I was tired, I didn't want to live anymore," Sloan said. It was February 18th of last year when Sloan checked himself into a hotel room in Bismarck. He says he packed enough fentanyl and his plan was to die by overdose. What he didn't know was that he was about to get a visit from Bismarck police and a probation officer. "You just don't want to feel sick. You don't want to feel sick. You want to take that feeling away," Sloan said. "You'll do whatever you can to not feel bad. It's an awful thing." Sloan was arrested and sent to jail, a familiar place. But unlike his previous abuse, this time, Sloan received in-patient treatment at the Heartview Foundation. "So, if anybody's ever had influenza and you said to them, 'if you just take this pill, it will all stop'," Heartview Foundation medical director Dr. Melissa Henke said. "There's nobody who wouldn't take the pill. We want to feel better." Within a few months, Sloan was accepted into drug court with a chance to clean up his life. "There's no short-term fix for this problem," Dr. Henke said. "We just want people to stay engaged with us and keep coming through those doors. And even if people are making small changes along the way, eventually the small changes add up to big changes and people can reclaim their lives." Killer in Blue Part 2: Fentanyl’s impact on North Dakota investigators "Michael has stick-to-it-iveness. He's been thrown some curveballs," Burleigh County judge Pamela Nesvig said. "He definitely has overcome the hurdles that have confronted him. Some things that could get under a person's skin. He's been able to move up and beyond and he self-educates himself. That's really commendable for him. He's become a role model for other participants. he's been doing an excellent job." Judge Pamela Nesvig is one of the people in charge of drug court in Bismarck. "We don't see a whole lot of good when we come to court as judges each and every day. This is the highlight of my week," Judge Nesvig said. She says despite the smiles and applause, it's possible to fail at this. For judge Nesvig, every graduation is a victory, when people gain back freedom in their lives. Sloan is now closer to graduating and sticking to a routine that keeps him busy and his mind off drugs. "The draw to it will always be there. It's the constant daily battle. It's one day at a time," Sloan said. "I can't tell you I'm going to be sober for the rest of my life, but I can tell you that I'm sober today." Five or six days a week, you'll find Sloan at the restaurant he now works at, just a few city blocks from the Heartview Foundation. But you could also say he's come miles in his recovery. "It's time to formulate a plan. I'm 42 years old, my birthday was in January. I know my life's not over anymore," Sloan said. And for Sloan, that's a win. Sloan says he'll graduate from drug court in the next few months and he's engaged to be married. He says he hopes to go back to school and eventually become a licensed addiction counselor. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less