Dear Editor,

Hello again from the St. Marys Correctional Center.

As I come to what I hope is the end of my stay on this medical unit for a broken leg. I can honestly say I’ve learned more than what I would of thought possible in here. The one person I think I’ve learned the most from would be the guy I wrote about in the last letter to the editor I submitted. He showed me what can become of a person who decides to abuse drugs and/or alcohol. Although I knew the likelihood of liver disease, I had no idea how painful and miserable it could until I witnessed it first hand.

Everyone who knew him knew he was fighting a battle he could not win. On August 10, 2013, he finally lost the fight, passing away as a result of liver disease.

I guess to really know the evils of substance abuse, you have to see it up close and personal. Without seeing it in real life, the National Geographic Channel has shows called intervention. These shows are very informative but sometimes disturbing with their graphic reality, going into the world of substance abuse-the true picture of life as an alcoholic, meth user or heroin addict, to name a few. It needs to be shown and it should be watched.

Although not all the individuals in these shows turn their lives around, some do. Some believe there’s no hope for themselves. Don’t ever think you’re at the end of the line. We can always turn our lives around. There is help for those who want or ask for it.

My problem was I would never admit to myself, or anyone for that matter, that I had a problem. I believe the first person we really need to be honest with is ourselves.

We’ve only got one life to live, so live it clean, live it sober, live it healthy, and live it “free.”

Chase your dreams, not drugs!

Sincerely,

Warren Wade, #31735

St. Marys Correctional Center