Cool “Substance Abuse Programs” Images
Some cool substance abuse programs images:
Cory
Image by Gregory Jordan
Portrait Series
Cory was panhandling in the Costco parking lot and approached me as I was loading groceries in the trunk of my car.
I told him about the Portrait Program and explained I would give him if he let me take his picture and chat for a minute. He suspiciously agreed, but wanted to see my business card or ID proving that I was a photographer. Kind of ironic/funny. I gave him one of my cards.
What was Cory’s story?
Well, he was just released from the county lockup. He was there because of a parole violation after prison time he did for robbery. He ended up in the pokey after crimen’ to support his meth and heroin habit.
While in prison he said he had access to plenty of narcotics. Realizing that drugs were going to continue to be his downfall in life, he elected to participate in a substance abuse program "SAP" and go to recovery facility to get clean. After two tries he shook heroin and meth.
Now he’s out of jail and broke.
Cory said he’s afraid he’ll slip back into doing drugs because his friends still use. He’s trying to steer clear of them and just stick to alcohol and pot. He said the parole officers don’t care about alcohol and marijuana. They’re just screening for the heavy stuff. He needs to stay clear of the hard stuff or he’ll flunk his parole drug test and end up back in the slammer.
When I asked Cory what prison was like for him he said it was a 17-month trip. He didn’t really consider himself a racist before going in, but felt pressured to align himself with the whites on the inside. He confirmed that prison is very racially oriented and that you’re expected to gang up with your own race or risk being ostracized and going without protection against racially/gang-motivated violence.
Prison was a busy place, and Cory found a niche market making prison tattoo ink. He rattled off the ingredients. Something like burning baby oil, trapping the soot, and mixing it with shampoo. Anyway, he was able to trade tattoo ink for tobacco.
After our chat I think that Cory realized I was simply interested in his story and wanted to take his picture. He lightened up and seemed to enjoy telling me his drama. I hope it made a difference. I think it did, at least for a few minutes.
Morning Calm Weekly Newspaper – USAG Red Cloud – US Army Korea – IMCOM – November 6, 2009
Image by US Army Korea – IMCOM
imcom.korea.army.mil
Gloria Prince, Army Substance Abuse Program education coordinator (left) explains what the ASAP is about while Krista Manuel (right) was signing the visitor log. The table was installed Oct. 28 in Mitchell’s Club on USAG Red Cloud to promote Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign to discourage drug abuse, illegal drugs and excessive drinking. The Army Substance Abuse Program staff at the booth handed out brochures about the harmful effects of all kinds of drug use, from illegal drugs like heroin to abuse of painkillers and depressants. The campaign was held from Oct. 23 – 31 throughout Area I.
U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Kim, Tae-Hoon