Letter to a drug addict

Mary*, you have to learn that we cannot always do what we want, when we want, where we want. We must accept our responsibilities and be answerable to not just ourselves, but to others. When Susan* goes with her father and you are "child free" for a few days, your being responsible doesn't end there.

Being a parent is for life, it isn't something you cast aside because it interferes with your bowling night! Is life really so bad that you choose to escape into the world of drugs? Because you are not escaping, you're taking the coward's way. You told me "If it wasn't for Susan, I'd be dead by now" - you owe Susan your life.
You may "only" be 21, but remember this - Susan didn't ask to be born.

Do you really, really want to go back to being that person you were five years ago? Do you really want to mix with druggies and the dregs of humanity because you feel sad or depressed? Take a good, long hard look at yourself Mary - it isn't just your life you mess up - you mess up other people's lives too. How do you think your family and friends (and I mean real friends) feel when they hear of what you do? They feel sad, angry, upset maybe, but mainly sad, very sad because they are powerless.

The person who gets hurt most is Susan - she is the one who will be most affected by this. You of all people know how difficult life can be without a parent - do you want this for her? Nobody can change you, that must come from within. And don't give me that crap about, you can't change someone who doesn't want to change. Taking the first step is hard, if you are determined to get off drugs and stay off, you will be able to do it. It may not be easy, but you can do it if you want to. Remember - Life is not a carousel, it only goes around once. So enjoy it...

Oh, and I would get rid of some of your so-called "friends" - they're not friends. Believe me, they're not your friends.

*Names have been changed

Quotes

“Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.”

Bradley Millara

“If an animal does something we call it instinct; if we do the same thing for the same reason, we call it intelligence.”

Will Cuppy