Читать книгу Somewhere Lost - Jasen BSL Sousa - Страница 3

This is a collection of poems about my relationships with people who have struggled with substance abuse. Writing is all about point of view, and I believe I am in a unique position to tell this story, my story, and their stories. How we both deal with addiction being part of our lives, and being present in our community. Addiction is not a fault or a weakness, it is a disease, and it just so happens that many of the people I grew up with suffer from this disease.

It is important for the reader to know that I have never had a snort, smoke, sip, or shot of any substance, even though I have been surrounded by drugs most of my life. Not even alcohol or a cigarette. It’s how I have earned one of my many nicknames, URBAN MONK. I am not better, or smarter than my peers who have feel victim to addiction, I am just lucky. We are made of the same flesh and blood, and if I was ever addicted to drugs, I would suffer through the same HELL as my friends.

Why do I associate myself with drug addicts, and drug dealers? It has never been like that with me. Growing up across the street from a park, and now doing all of the youth work I do, I could never ignore these people, their problems, our problems. I have known most of them since I was five or six years old. They are like an extended family to me, and you don’t turn your back on family, no matter how dirty things get.

I write about things that are important, these people, these stories, are important to me. After you read this book, I hope they will be important to you too. I think all of us, when we take the time to think about it, realize that drug addicts are not losers, they are just souls temporarily lost, and it’s up to us to help them find their way home.

Peace,

Jasen Sousa