You pick it up. You cave. You know deep in your heart that this substance, this cruel substance, is not what you should be feeding your mind, body, and soul. Pure poison has completely and totally consumed your entire existence ever since that first time. Life, before it seems like a dream, a dream you desperately wish,was your reality. It hits you.You begin to float. Nothing else matters. Nothing will until you come down. Until you come back down to the harsh reality that you are not floating; you are spiraling. The drug takes you by the hand. You follow one last time.

For as long as I can remember, addiction has always been a huge part of my life. I have watched someone very close to my heart go through the unthinkable as they battle with their own demons. Though I have never struggled with it myself, I truly sympathize with those that battle with the dreadful disease. I cannot imagine waking up every morning and craving a substance so badly that you have to give in; even though you know what the outcome has been for the many before you.

Currently, there is an epidemic going on in metro Atlanta suburbia. Heroin use is soaring at an alarming rate among young adults. So much so, that an area in North Atlanta, where heroin use and overdoses are especially high, has actually been coined “The Triangle” by local news media. It has been a wake-up call for many, as the area is home to both the wealthy and well educated. It has shown many that heroin is no longer just done in back alleys by the weak. Instead, this drug is claiming the lives of many young adults, who once held so much promise.

All too often, I get a call from a friend informing me that they have lost someone to heroin. Through tears, several have explained that their loved one slipped up that one last time, and paid the ultimate price for giving in. Many blame the rise in untimely deaths not just on heroin use, but on a powerful opiate called Fentanyl. Heroin in Atlanta, and all over the nation presumably, is being cut with the drug in order to make it stronger for users. Fentanyl is extremely potent and, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is “100 times more powerful than morphine and 30-50 times more powerful than heroin”.

Heroin weaves a horrible web; a web so powerful and enticing that many survivors seek out the drug even years after winning their battle against the opiate.With their tolerance for the drug much lower now, and the addition of Fentanyl, heroin is too much for their mortal bodies to handle. In an instant they are taken far too soon.

It is important to note, that your local heroin dealer is not a pharmacist. It is important to note, that your local heroin dealer prays on the weak. It is important to note, that your local heroin dealer is just trying to make a buck with no regard for human life.

There seems to be a negative social stigma surrounding addiction, that the victims of this ruthless disease in some way chose this battle for themselves. I will admit, I too was once close-minded on the subject. Substance abuse is not black and white. Everyone's demon is different. People are plagued with all sorts of ailments. We are slaves to and betrayed by our own minds. Undoubtedly, there are beasts within us all. Sadly, some beasts are awakened by certain substances. That beast will never stop craving what gave it life. I have been told it gets easier with time. Yet, it is always there. It waits for that one weak moment. That moment when your soul caves and allows your mind to take over. There he is again. The beast is back. Can you imagine? You have been sober for months, hell, maybe even years. You are right back where you started, your sober clock reset.

It is time that we come together, for the greater good, and combat against heroin use in our cities and the people that are supplying the drug. We need to stop blaming the victims of addiction and start becoming sympathetic towards their struggles. I truly believe that if we change the way addiction is portrayed then we will be able to save lives.

A friend of mine recently succumbed to the disease. He fought so hard for his life. He wanted to be here. Although my heart is heavy as I remember him, I want my words to help others like him to not only find peace, but find it here on Earth. For him and for the many others, that have or will lose their lives, I plan on writing several articles about this ugly disease.

Let’s open up the conversation about drug abuse. Let’s not let another friend die in vain.