I'll try and keep this short, I started using in the 10th grade. I got hooked when I was 18 and went to work. In tried to work and keep well and it was very difficult. I tried to get on METHADONE MAINTENANCE and was told I was too young. I went to another clinic and after letters and court documents I got on.

I have been on 12 different clinics. The State of Washington being the worst, San Rafael, California the best. I have been off Methadone Maintenance several times only to return. I quit my job because I was dealing and that was going great. I had a great time dealing had nice cars, bikes, homes. I got into making money was back on METHADONE MAINTENANCE and not using.

I got busted when I was 30 and the federal government took what they could find. I was drinking several hundred Mg's a day. I lowered myself down by the time court was finished. I went to Prison and had a hard time kicking. I got out and back on METHADONE MAINTENANCE ...a year later I got a parole violation for missed appointment, I was on 80 Mg and did 60 day and kicked locked up again. I got out and ran from the gate went to Washington State came back to California a year later and got buster for running. I did nine months. I paroled and asked to go back to Washington. I got on METHADONE MAINTENANCE went to work got married to someone who also used.

My son was born in 1993 my whole life changed.... We all moved back to California and she could not stop using. We got divorced and I got full custody. She let me have him... she went to Washington and still uses. I have been working the same job for seven years now and have raised my son alone. I go to school at night and plan to help others when I finish school. I take my son to see his Mom and let them talk on the phone anytime he or she likes. She can get on METHADONE MAINTENANCE anytime and I'll pay to get her started, we will never go back together but, she will always be my son's Mom.

I am also working on what they call a certificate of rehabilitation that then goes to the governor for a pardon. I want to fix what I can on my record and I was never aware that I could. I don't want it to affect me when I finish school , I do the best I can for my son. He has changed my whole life.