When I was about 24 years old, I tried heroin for the first time. My two older brothers were always loaded on it and I thought "what's the big deal with this drug?" My boyfriend was using and he shot me up the first time. I really didn't like it but since my boyfriend was doing it everyday, I began to shoot up with him. He overdosed and was found dead in his car. Then I began doing some terrible things to keep up my habit. Finally, I decided to go on methadone maintenance program. I got off of heroin for about five years. Then I met another guy who was using, and I was drunk one night and shot up. That did it for me! I was out there again using, and doing some pretty bad things until I got arrested for under the influence. I finally went back to the methadone maintenance program. I stayed off heroin for ten years. Then I got married, I then turned to booze.

After that I went to AA and was clean & sober for five years. Then we moved to my mother's house because of financial troubles. We weren't doing drugs. Then my brother got out of prison, he began using, and I started again. This time I got my husband to use. We were out there for about three years and finally got back on methadone. I've been clean for about one year.

Methadone saved my life. I know people think of methadone people as "dirty" or something. But I will always counter with -- I don't care what you say, it saved my life. I would like to get involved in changing the rules. There are so many people who need help and can't get it because they don't have Medi-Cal or they just can't afford it. Doctors aren't allowed to prescribe methadone. Thanks for listening to my story,

Maria H.