AHS Views

I don’t know how many people think about going to prison as one of the consequences of taking drugs, but they should. And, when they really think about it, it’s one very good reason for getting addiction help to get someone off drugs and away from the drug culture asap.

About 1/2 of the people in prison have drug problems - that’s about 1.5 million people - and only 5% get any form of drug treatment or addiction help. What happens with the rest of them? Often they keep taking drugs.

I am amazed that drugs in prisons are so common - how can it be possible that they can’t control the flow of drugs into that kind of environment? I can’t help but think there are guards and other staff involved.

How easy is it to wind up in prison because of drugs? It’s not hard. Cops can get wind of what’s going on and show up on your doorstep. Or you’re around people who are involved in criminal activity (other than the drugs, thefts, and so on, to support their habits or get enough drugs to sell to others). So there’s double the risk. Or you’re around people who carry guns, and don’t think twice about using them.

When I was on drugs I had several close calls with the police. One time I was on my way to a friend’s house and happened to call first - from just a block or two away. It was late and I wanted to make sure they were home and awake before I knocked on their door. They answered the phone but told me the police were there. Had I not called, I would have walked in (with drugs on me) and wound up in prison.

Another time I lived in an apartment on a hill - it seemed safe, but the hill actually put the windows right at street level. I wasn’t even aware that you could literally just walk in through the windows of that apartment.  Tall windows, nearly floor to ceiling, swung open like a door, no screens. It seemed like you were well above the ground - you walked up the long flight of steps in the front - but, because of the hill, the windows were just a foot above the ground.

You don’t exactly have your wits about when you’re high - which I was all the time; heroin addiction - so things like that can happen.

Friends who lived across the street pointed out the window problem to me and told me the police were watching the place. I moved out the next day, and later the same day the police arrived - through the window.

On the other side of things - being in the criminal element - I once had to hide out in a hotel until I could get a flight out of town. Someone I’d upset was after me with a gun. Fortunately, someone else warned me about it and I was able to get out of my apartment immediately, into an obscure motel by the airport, and on a flight out of town the next day. Had I not found out about it on time I could be dead now. Or I could have wound up in the emergency room, in which case I’d probably also wind up in prison since I was always high and had heroin on me.

Another time I overdosed. The people I was with were at the point of taking me to the hospital when I came to. Another close brush with death, and the possibility of prison. 

Just a few little incidents. But that’s what living in the drug culture can be like. So - ending up in prison can’t be ruled out.

Some people think that going to prison will straighten somebody out. Not true. Not only can they still get drugs, hepatitis and HIV are also quite common in prison. People share needles, and have unprotected sex. If you’re a guy, especially, you’re likely to become someone’s boy toy. 

If you know someone taking drugs - your kids for example - be aware that prison could well be in the cards. Get them addiction help services before it gets to that point.