Dear Drugs,

Where do I even begin?

Born into a world that my mind had to endure what you were at such a young age. My eyes had to witness the chaos you could create, and the damage you can do.

The sun hits my face with the warmth of my father's smile from heaven as I sit in front of a grave that shouldn't be there. My heart cracks knowing the absence of a mother in my life is actually my reality. I close my eyes and always wonder what my life would be like if you didn't exist. I wonder if I were first instead of second how different it would be. I envy you and the attention you received from the people I longed to show me what the love from a mother and a father was. You inevitably took away what shouldn't have been taken. You are a demon that most become so engulfed in that the grasp is so tight they can't escape. You are the darkness that exudes into a person's mind and controls their behavior, how they treat others and how they simply live. Why does one choose to pick you up and use you without thinking to themselves what you are and what you are capable of? You take beautiful people from their loved ones, dead or alive. You tear families to pieces, take money, take life. You take and take until nothing is left.

I can only dream of a world where I look out into the crowd at my graduation and see my mother and father looking at me with excitement in their eyes and the feeling of being proud in their hearts. I can only dream of a world where when I finally walk down the aisle with my father's arm linked into mine and the overwhelming abundance of love and support he expresses as he speaks to me and looks me in the eyes. I can only dream of a world where I get to hear "I am proud to have you as my daughter." I can only dream of what I wish could have been my reality.

The hardest thing I have ever had to do is find peace and the light in such a dark situation, but I forgive you, and I forgive my parents for choosing you. God has yet to forsake me and lead me astray. I trust in him to comfort me when the pain creeps into my mind knowing there is no more and that "parents" will never be. I thank God for showing me who you are and what you can do. By knowing you I can spread awareness and stay away. God showed me what was wrong and you are wrong. You are not worth it and never will be.

Sincerely,

Me

To those who read this, please remember what drugs are and what they really can do, and not just to you but everyone who loves you. I pray with everything in me that those fighting the battle with drugs can find the strength to fight and get away; it is there just find it and use it, every bit of it. I pray those contemplating using drugs think twice. God loves you and it's never too late. Please spread awareness and keep in mind, one time can become all the time, and all the time can end in death. You are beautiful and full of light, full of life and you are worth more than letting something so frivolous like drugs control your life or take it away... Fight like hell and reach out to the Lord, and He will not fail you.

Isaiah 41:10: "Don't panic, I'm with you. I am your God. I'll give you strength, I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."