Consider this an open letter to all the addicts, dabblers, weekend users of percs, oxy and the needle. To users of narcotics of any kind. To casual users, and those of you who may think you are developing a problem, or know someone who may be.

I know something about your life, and what you are going through. I know of the pain you are in, almost constantly.

I am an officer on the Quincy Fire Department, a paramedic of over 25 years and the father of an addict who lost his battle with narcotics this past October. So, all you users out there, I know of what I speak.

Humble beginnings. Usually not the reference you’d make on your start to using.

Popping a few 5s you took from your mom’s medicine chest. Chewing up some 10s on a Friday night with the rest of the crew. With a few beers, it seemed probably one of the best nights ever. Or so you thought.

Humble beginnings for you may have innocently tumbled into more pills, 30s maybe. Sniffing some Oxys now, because it’s better. Right, you guys; it seems those 10s don’t do it anymore. You’re not waiting till Friday night either. It’s turned into most nights now, and some daytimes too.

Critical stage here, boys and girls. This is when you either smarten up and realize the kick has changed. Or you go on with it and see, face to face, the precipice. When you start to feel bad about your little habit, and feel guilty about trying to feel good, how do you guys fix that? More pills, right?

Another turning point here guys. You are just one bad decision away from jumping into the life with both feet, and maybe using the needle. C’mon guys, it’s a lot cheaper and easier to get, right?

My son Jeff and I talked about his story many times, in his animated way, about his descent into hard drugs. We held each other, and cried.

I gave him my “Dad’s take” on his situation, and how his actions have affected everyone in his life. Jeff told me of the shame he carried, made worse because he thought I had no pride in him. He had been in pain for a long time. And shamed about being an addict. I was glad we could talk about it. We hung on to each other and cried.

I told my son we all loved him, and always would. That’s one thing you all must realize. You are all loved by the people in your life. But the people in your life who love you so much, at the same time, hate what drugs have made you become. Read more…