Sagittarius
I remember these girls as people who were struggling with addiction as I was. I saw the sadness they carried while we did drugs together. They were people too.
I’ve been asked which girls I knew Downtown Eastside. I’ll tell you now: Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Marnie Frey, Sarah deVries, Jackie Murdock and Serena Abotsway. They were all girls that hung around looking to get high and for a way to get what they needed to survive, as most of us did. I “lived to use and use to live”, as I’ve said before.
I can’t say I knew these girls like best friends; I dealt with them as I did anyone else on the Downtown Eastside though. They did drugs, I did drugs. They had dealers and I had dealers. When I was out of drugs and was desperate I went to them to score. They hung around the same bars that I did. We frequented the Balmoral, Regent, the Astoria, and the Marble Arch once in a while.
That’s what we had in common.
I look at the bars today and wonder how on earth I could stand going to places like that. They’re infested with bugs, and filth isn’t the word. They’re disgusting. I must have been out of my mind? I certainly was out of my mind.
The memories of these women and our lives from the Downtown Eastside will not be forgotten. It has scarred my life though. Dealing with this wouldn’t have been so easy if I hadn’t written for Orato. In counseling you’re informed that journal writing is good for you, and this has been part of my journal writing.
I’ve learned to deal with these scars and use them positively to help others, especially my kids.
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Re: If There Was A Death Penalty
By mikiain, December 11, 2007 at 14:00Since you claim to have known some of these women who perished, you would be a wonderful person to start a dialogue with us and others regarding what you were able to witness about them. You may even know some details as to how they got to where they did. You probably have an idea of how you got there yourself and even more important and valuable...how you are managing to stay away from it and how you are trying to ensure that your children dont get to where you were or where those poor women were.
I am not sure if I should even dare to ask you this question, but here I go. Is it at all possible for you to share some light into how these women and / or yourself got to where you were and could you share with us what you are doing to prevent your children going there, and is it working. I would also love to know what help you need to keep you going 'straight' and what you need from friends, family, governments, agencies, etc. to help you do more or do it better.
I, understand that I am asking a lot from you. I also fully understand that you do not have to in any way share anything that you know or have experienced because it is really only your business and your life. But, I ask you, because you seem to have seen the light and are being proactive and we need action at this time and you can help others to help themselves.
If you refuse I would fully understand and I will not be surprised or disappointed by your not wanting to share. You have already shown me that you are a brave and responsibie person and that is all I could ever ask of anyone.
I wouild love to meet you and shake your hand and congratulate you for what you have done for yourself and your family. You are modelling what others should watch and learn and do.
Thanks for sharing your story. Mike