Sometimes We Get It Wrong

I stumbled across a picture similar to this one earlier today. The picture was connected to an article about “junkies” taking over a civic building unimpeded. What struck me about the article was that the squatters were only referred to as “junkies”, never as people.

When I saw the picture, my heart broke at the lost dreams and futures of those that are suffering with addiction. I heard the cries of the addict and the families living with this horror. And I wept. Zack told Reneé and I more than once that he wanted to be clean and sober. He knew he had no life while he was using.

I can tell you that even though many of you may feel otherwise, an addict wishes he/she wasn’t addicted. And don’t say “All they have to do is stop!” When I hear those words, I know that the speaker has, at best, no experience, and, at worst, no compassion.

I know that each of you knows someone living with addiction, either their own or a loved one. I ask that when you see the pictures or hear the reports of rampant addiction that you not close your eyes and ears, but open your mouth and heart and pray for them. For the users and their families, peace seems far away.