Check me out on NPR "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross
Terry was awesome. Very nice. She laughed at my bad jokes.
Here is the link the show should be up later today
Here is the link the show should be up later today
Black Tar Heroin 10 questions answered
I want to get this in one place. Here you go When was the film made? The film was made from Dec 1995 to Dec 1997. Originally the film was supposed to be for one year but I believe when HBO picked up the film they wanted two years. How were you picked for the film? Steven met a bunch of different people at the youth needle exchange. He wanted subjects that were slightly younger than me. He filmed a few other people that never made it into the final film Were you paid for the film? No. I was not paid for the film. he bought me a hotel to stay in for a week and bought me lunch a few times. I think they left some money for me when I was in jail too. Documentary film makers, in general, don't pay their subjects. Was I friends with the other people from the film ? Sort of. I never knew Alice. I met Oreo when he was 15 or 16. He was VERY young when the film was made. His mom used to work the desk in one of the hotels I lived in. Jake and I used to hang out. At one point h...
I remember watching the Film years and years ago and always wondered what happened to the people portrayed in the film. Awesome that you are doing well. I did not think you would make it after that scene of you getting high only 8 hours after getting out of jail. I'm happy for you and look forward to getting the book.
ReplyDeletethanks. Yeah I was pretty bad off but when I made up my mind, I stuck with it. I think you will enjoy the book.
DeleteI just listened to the NPR piece and looked you up to tell you how incredible I think you are. I am so moved. Thank you very much for your important work. I can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the feedback and I strongly believe you will love my book
DeleteYou have given my family hope. My addicted son has been on heroin off and on for 7 years. We have stepped away. I hope that he finds the help and the fortitude that you did.....
ReplyDeleteI hope so too. There is a lot in my book about my relationship with my own family that you might relate to
DeleteI will read it with great interest. We tried everything and hope he still knows we love him. I have not seen him in 16 months! He is on the streets.
DeleteI just stumbled on your interview, driving in the car and couldn't stop listening. Thank you for sharing your story and for the help/hope you give others. I love that you're living a soccer mom life now :)....it just reminds me to never judge others and what we're all going through. Great interview! -Dana
ReplyDeletethank you so much. yes- my life revolves around kids and cats and a dog.
DeleteI happenened to hear you yesterday. Your honesty in your experiences was impressive and eye opening. My small city is battling heroin and it is difficult to work from stopping the problem to to helping the addicts stop their problems. They have to work it out, the community can only help them. The biggest issue is hoe the heroin affects crime in the city and first reaction is to find the easiest way to just stop the problem.
ReplyDeletethat is very true. Until we recognize addiction as a health issue, the cycle cannot stop.
DeleteI just listened to your interview with Terry Gross. Very inspiring. You are great. What strength. I also looked at your picture and you look great. Never saw the film but I'm going to look for it. I'm a Psychologist. Never used drugs but know folks who did.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I work in the mental health field as well. I run peer based mental health programs and manage contracts for the county
DeleteThanks. That was a great, informative and heartfelt interview. I look forward to the book.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good book.
DeleteI was very moved by your interview. I went to Amazon and got your book on kindle. What an inspiring read. I am so sorry you had to go through all of this as a young adult and so glad you came out alive. Hopefully your story will help destroy the stigma of drug addiction and get people more resources. Depression and neglect seem to be key to go ing over the edge. Drugs are simple one of many side effects of the root causes for dysfunctional lives, and seem avoidable if people understand drugs as a symptom and get rid of the stigma.
ReplyDeleteYes!! You really get me - exactly my message
DeleteThank you so much for giving such a wonderful candid interview. I am also an addict, and I've recently been struggling. I had about a year of clean time and then relapsed and have been using the past 6+ months. I started crying when you shared your story, and was able to relate to much of it. I hate the way I'm living, but I can't seem to get it together. Hearing you last night gave me hope, and that is something that I desperately need right now. Thank you once again, and congratulations on your sobriety. I hope you continue sharing your amazing story for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you!!
DeleteLoved your interview. Thank you for speaking out candidly and honestly, and for saying there is no one-size-fits-all solution. I couldn't help thinking, when you were talking the practicality of about needle exchange, that another important benefit is simply the human connection, the reminder for addicts that someone does care. And to be touched in caring, non-threatening ways, to be given something by someone who not only does not judge but asks for nothing in return. I get chills. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for listening. I hope you will check out my book.
DeleteFor sure! And recommending it to others.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, very powerful. I hope more people listen and read the book, you have some very great ideas and insights on this issue that need to be heard. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! I enjoy the influx of new readers for my blog as well.
DeleteVery interested in your work. I'm curious. Have you any opinions about Kratom as an alternative to methedone?
ReplyDeletePeople have reported mixed success with Kratom. I am not sure what you mean "as an alternative to methadone"- you mean to get off heroin?
DeleteAs the daughter of a nurse working in Detroit, I have heard a lot about the horrors of the public health system and the lack of support for addicts, while using, and while in recovery. I am so thankful to you for doing the interview w/NPR and helping to spread the importance of clean needle programs and public health support for addicts and mental health programs. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for listening in!
DeleteThank you so much, Tracey. Listened to the piece a few days ago. This week, one of the five needle exchanges in MA (down the road from me) is in danger of being shut down because of the ignorance of local politicians. I shared the Fresh Air piece this morning on Facebook in the hopes of convincing a few people to support needle exchanges in our communities. Thank you for your work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for listening
DeleteThank you Tracey, for your honest and thoughtful interview with Terry Gross. I am very inspired by the conversion to learn more. Your open minded approach to the recovery system not being a 'one size fits all' solution is refreshing. I ordered your book, and look forward to reading it. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI think you will get a lot out of it. It is entertaining and Informative
DeleteThat was really awesome Tracey! I'm a huge fan of Terry Gross and NPR radio, I think that is awesome you got that opportunity! I ve got your book on order!! Life keeps getting better and better for you! You've worked really, really hard for it and you deserve it!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you❤️
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