|
This site is being created in hopes of reaching some of those young people who are either using drugs and/or alcohol, or, are considering experimenting with those substances. The letters that you will read are from convicts in a California state prison. They are the result of my ideas for this website and the help of my son who is incarcerated. He started by writing his own story, and then convinced his cellmate to write his. He then talked to others who became interested and submitted their stories. I hope to receive more which will be added as they are received.
I have worked as both a correctional officer in the prison, and as a juvenile probation officer. Consequently, I've seen what happens to those who become involved with drugs and/or alcohol.
In addition to having worked in the field, I have firsthand knowledge within my own family. I am including some of this family background so that you will see that I know of that of which I speak, and perhaps you will realize the struggle ahead of you if you CHOOSE TO USE!
My father was an alcoholic who died at the age of 54 as a result of his alcoholism, and I am the mother of five adult children, all addicted to some form of mind altering substance. My youngest son was using crank and went through rehab approximately ten years ago. He had a good job, a wife and child and a new home. He was clean for about three years, and went back to using. He lost nearly everything he had gained. After awhile, he was able to kick the habit again. He has regained all that he lost, and more, and has been clean five years, now. However, a year ago, he discovered that he has hepatitis C, a direct result of his intravenous drug use as far back as ten to thirteen years ago. He was given chemo therapy for several months, and his last blood test showed no sign of the disease. But, he won't know, for awhile, if he is truly free of it. If you don't know what hepatitis C is, it is a liver disease that you can get from using contaminated needles or personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes, that an infected person has used. There are many who do not find out they have it in time to be treated, or who do not respond to the treatments and they die from cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. This disease is wide spread within the prison system, amoung parolees and in the drug culture.
My daughter is an alcoholic and has just recently gone through rehab. She is attending AA meetings, and will hopefully be able to overcome this before it takes her to the bottom, and takes her life. It is a daily struggle for her.
My oldest son is in prison for the second time. He did four years (half of the eight year sentence that he received for voluntary manslaughter), and was out for seven years. He continued his drug use, and is now back in prison. You can read his story herein.
My other two sons are alcoholics/druggies. One is functioning, somewhat, so I hear. The other is just a street bum who has alienated most of his family and lives a miserable life....most of which he probably doesn't even remember. It's a sad situation. He once had a family and a good job in Silicon Valley, working for a company that made computer games. His son is now 20 years old, and he has not seen him in years.
If you begin reading and feel that each story sounds like the last, think about it. It simply proves that using drugs and alcohol can, and does, lead to prison. The majority of those who are incarcerated are there behind the use of these substances. I doubt there is one man or woman in prison who believed, when they started using drugs and/or alcohol, that this would lead to being locked up.....some for the remainder of their lives. They all thought it was cool, and thought they could handle it.
If you have any comments, or would like to send a message to any of the men, please leave a message on the board. It would be very much appreciated. All who submitted stories have been interested in the progress and results of the website. They seem to be truly interested in diverting young people from the paths which they have chosen.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING, and I hope that you take something positive with you when you leave.
|
