Two Decades and Eight: a Dream that I hate

Two decades and eight – a dream that I hate
Trusted in deals and promises that take
Mind is all scarred – turned inwards to hate
Standing on the edge – two decades and eight

These are the lines of a lyric I penned after meeting an ex-offender who was trying to repair his life after a journey that had taken him to hell and back. However, this journey was still continuing as he tried to break the grip that drugs were having on his life.

Now on methadone for the second time his battle continued daily.  He was the second man at that age I had met in the course of my work in introducing ex-offenders to gaining qualifications and training. His potential to go and make something of his life was enormous. He was intelligent, articulate, sociable, and wanted to learn.

He was keen to move on with his life and pave a way forward in finding employment.

Verse two of the song:
Two decades and eight: a past full of waste
Sold as a slave to some paradise place
Cost me my life and all that it takes
Stealing the way two decades and eight

These lines reflect the reality of how his life had been a waste, chasing the highs and experiencing the lows. The continual dream that drugs offer is a lie. Being chained to a habit that enslaves and degrades is no paradise.

The death of the individual during that period is clearly seen...isolated, desperate, selfish, self absorbing, destructive, and totally demotivating and harmful.

Its effect on the community is well documented: stealing to pay for the habit and the cost to society in rehab.

Twenty eight years poured down the drain with nothing to show for it but the scars of self harm on the arms and legs, a criminal record, the continual battle, the loss of friendship and family.

I have never taken drugs so I don't know how it could take over someone's life and destroy it. But there is hope. Many have overcome its power and addictive nature through rehabilitation, facing their demons and asking for help. Help is available. But you have to ask for it and acknowledge you need it.

The young man who came to see me was taking vital steps towards stabilising his life and taking every opportunity to be job ready.

Yes, he would have his ups and downs but his personal graph of self improvement was on the way up. It’s never too late to ask for help or change your ways.