Sad story, but a painfully common occurrence. I'm a recovered heroin addict (clean 43 years) please tell your friend for me that he needs to get his son into a drug-free residential therapeutic community immediately. (Live-in drug program.) Even if he has to get a court order to do it. Addicts, unchecked, will do anything and everything to keep their addiction run going as long as possible. The next shot could be his last. It is quite literally a life or death situation. I can pm you my personal contact info if your friend wants to/needs to talk to an expert, or ask questions.

I was the director of a treatment facility (Phoenix House) for 12 years. I have a Supervising Addiction Specialist rating with the New York Dept. of Substance Abuse Services. (NY-DSAS) I am highly trained and I specialized in family crisis intervention. I'll be able to provide information, help and practical advice. I'll be glad to help your buddy try to save his son's life in any way that I can. Tell him I am at his disposal.

John

John

You are a very courageous person, thoughtful too.

I pasted your post on the guitar forum, and told him to PM me there if he feels like reaching out. I don't know him personally, but has been a stand up member of that forum for some time. If he contacts me, I will reach out to you right away via PM.

Thanks,

Stephen

You are a good man John! Very nice post!! Sounds like you can help, hope they take you up on it and the kid gets help. Tommy

I'm sorry for your friends loss.My middle son had a drug problem and stole money from his family.This eventually led him to a series of arrests for assault and robberies.I was finally able to able to convince the local DA and Judge to put him in a residential program that was based in Brooklyn,but used a residential facility in upstate NY.

This was fairly successful,but some of the problem also revolved around his friends,and the loss of my oldest son in a traffic accident a year before.

Lucily,my sons then girlfriend was moving to Arizona with her parents,and I saw this as an opportunity to remove him from a caustic environment,that would drag him down again.I pleaded with my son,and her parents to take him with them and they did.I spent a lot of money on airfair goin back and forth,but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Although there were some close calls,everything worked out,and he now is married with 4 daughters,and owns his own moving company.

The botton line is..you have to what you have to do and take deliberate and positive action.That may result in some bad feelings,but you have to be an adult,and act like a parent and do what you must.Giving up is not an option.Best of luck to your friend,and there is support out there.He dosen't have to,and shouldn't do this alone.

Best of luck.

Steve B

The members of this forum are just astounding people-

> a residential program that was based in Brooklyn,but used a residential facility in upstate NY.

Steve - Daytop Village? If so, it's a really great, effective program. I have (in the past) done consulting work for them and made many good friends there among the staff and residents in treatment. Gotta love people who dedicate their lives to saving the lives of others - and for peanuts. Trust me, it's not about money. Salaries for people who work for state and federally funded human services programs are a pittance. My work schedule consisted of putting in an average of 60 to 70 hours a week, many times working 7 days a week with no overtime pay. It's why I had to get out of the business. I had two kids and a wife to support so I went back to school (L.I.U.) and had a successful 22 year long career as a printer/graphic artist. It was a tough choice for me to make, but family always comes first. I wish your son and your family all the happiness and success in the world. Please feel free to communicate any time.

John

John..the place was called Dynamite(spelling) It was on Coney Island Ave. in Brooklyn.This was 12 years ago,and I don't know if the're still in operation.They really did help save his life.The upstate residence location they prefer to keep as confidential as possible.Somewhere in Sullivan Co.

The Daytop Village here on Staten Island was having problems at the time,but this place was highly recommended by a family friend.

I have nothing but high admiration and respect for those councilors and staff,who literally save families and peoples lives every day just for the love of doing it,and making a difference.Because it's not for the money I know.

Thanks again for you kind offer.You truley do offer to help in a complety selfless manner,time after time.

Steve B

I just googled it.The're still around doin' the lords work.:)

Steve B

+1 on that