Stories

“I just, I lived to get high.  I couldn't function without getting high, I couldn't brush my teeth couldn't wash my face, I couldn't do anything. I barely made it to the restroom to use the restroom. I had to help with medication, my body wouldn't allow me to make it through the day without the drugs. I got sober through an organization called Metro Relief and some of the people that work with that organization.

I was down in the neighborhood one day and I saw this, well I was trying to tell my girlfriend off because she was heroin sick and there was this white looking hippie guy with this long beard standing in front. I was like ‘shoot is he the police? Is he on drugs or what?’ And he wouldn't leave so I could get in to take care of her. But I just asked him what he wanted, and he told me he was waiting on my friend. So, I'm like ‘for what?’ you know, and then he told me. 

Before then I had looked in the mirror and I had seen how I looked. I was like an old lady, everything was just wrinkles man, really just wrinkles. And I'm like ‘what's wrong with me?’ I was just skin and bones. I probably weighed about 89-90 pounds and after he told me about this organization and the things that they do, the next weekend I went and talked to him and asked him could you take me to get some help. Some people from the Metro Relief organization then come to my home at 9:00 o'clock exactly like they said they would that Monday morning. They were really nice to me, they took me to a place called homeward bound so I could receive help, so I could detox. Before they took me in, they made sure I ate and stuff, and I was really suffering because they came so early, and I had no drugs in me. I was really suffering; I was at the point where drugs do what they do. Bowel movements, throwing up and just a lot of pain. So, these guys got me to these people that could medicated me so I could start to feel better.

Difference between this time and the time before is this organization, Metro Relief. You've got genuine people that work with them. They just showed me a lot of love and gave me a lot of love. In my mind I define love by saying love is through action, and that's what they did. They showed me love, they gave me love, they gave me determination to go ahead on. I know that somebody's here, that somebody cares, Metro relief cares. Yeah, Metro Relief cares, they cared about me, and they’re still taking care of me. Metro Relief is still in my corner for anything that I need, sometimes the things that I want. 

I’ve started to dream again. The drugs stop you from dreaming, stop you from having goals, even short term goals. The drugs take all that away but you, your organization Metro Relief, you know I can dream again, I can set goals again, and I can pretty much accomplish them. 

I'm giving back through Metro Relief, and Metro Relief gives me the things that I need for the people down in my hood, because they need it. If I don't show up like last weekend, church was so good. I had my boxes ready for the people, but I completely forgot about it. And I'm telling you, these guys and these women were outside in their wheelchairs and their walkers waiting on me. I've never seen him like that, and I was late because I was enjoying the church service. Metro Relief have helped me to give back to my hood and they look forward to me coming down there, showing the real love that I have for them and bringing the food that’s provided by Metro Relief.”