Hi Mrs.Allen you came to our school today, my name is Jessie Phillips i felt so bad that Erin didnt make her life stright i hope that the people who saw the viewing about Erin puts the right sence to everyone i have done drygs and i have seen what it does to you. It hurts your body and it hurts friends/family if i ever meet a herion addict ill try my best to help them and i hope the greif u have wasnt there beacuse ur probaly going through so much pain i wish n i think erin wished that she could of got hope earlier and maybe she'd be alive but madd love to ur family if you can write back ok (Middletown Middle school)
Jessi <wildlildevil2001@aol.com>
Townsend, De USA - Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 16:49:40 (EDT)Dear Mrs. Allen,
Hi my name is Amanda. Today at my school I listened to your speech. And I just want you to know it really touched my heart. I am sorry for the loss of your daughter, I feel terrible but my apperciation and care truly does go out to your family. Listening to your speech today made me realize what drugs can do to you. Through this pass week at school drugs have been in and out and now I hope my peers have realized what these things can do to you!.I hope that you keep going on strong and that God stays with you the whole way. God Bless you and your family!! Amanda <pandycakes89@msn.com>
Middletown, DE USA - Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 16:03:04 (EDT)You are such a brave person when you came to my school and told us what had happened to her i htought about the people i know that are on drugs and how i would feel if they died i feel so bad for you but now you no she is safe and has no more pain thank you n my heart gos out to you
Jessica <swtlilica73088@aol.com>
Middletown, DE USA - Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 15:48:54 (EDT)Hi. You have just visited my school with a really inspiring story. I agree that people are age need to hear that. I know of a lot of people in our school that do drugs and it scares me. I never thought about seeing them in a casket at thier age. They don't have to die at an early age, but they decide to. I just want to give you credit for standing up there today and telling us that story because I know that my mom would not be able to do that. You probably went through a lot of practice going from school to school telling your story , but it really got to me. I never would have thought about half of the statistics that there were and that Delaware is the #1 state for drugs. It really scares me. I am glad that you came and people may have been grossed out , but that's what gets to me. My Brother was addicted to heroin when was younger. I remeber seeing him with some of the symptoms and that's where this presentation hit me. Now that my mom got him into rehab he is the happiest person alive. I am grateful for that. Now I realize how special he is to me. Thanks for coming to our school and presenting that to us becasue I greatly appreaciate it! God Bless You!
Lisa
DE USA - Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 15:26:57 (EDT)Mrs,Allen i'm very sorry.last year(00-01) you came to my school(middletown middle school) and you had my friend and i cry all day this year(01-02) you had the same thing happen. We will remeber Erin and her family who try to save her. heather walker <kat247@hotmail.com>
bear, del USA - Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 13:14:16 (EDT)I think that the presentation that you gave at our school was heart-warming. It really touched me. I am impressed that you can control your emotions so well. If it were me up there, I would have burst out in tears.
Mike Agnew <MikeAg02@hotmail.com>
Middletown, DE USA - Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 11:40:54 (EDT)I'm sorry for your sorrow. My son also is a herion addict, he is 26 yrs old. I wish he was never born. herion addicts bring nothing but sorrow to your life as I sit here I am contempating my own death my son has wrecked up my life and tha of our family.Iwish he was dead most of the time. I think the ones who die are the lucky ones their struggle is over and they are finally at rest.
Becca
pa USA - Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 22:02:32 (EDT)Im sorry for all of this, and if you look at my screen name it has 420, yes I smoke weed sometimes, but not often! I go to Chichester High School, im in the 9th grade, and last year when I was in Chi MS, you came and talked to us...actually it touched me deeply, I am now 16 and I understand life wonderfuly...I see people coming to school high or drunk, and its very scary knowing people are not them-selves. And maybe what happend to Erin happend for a reason, atleast you know she is in a better place, other than earth whitch gets worse and worse each, more and more people are experimenting...and my sister just took some pills and she was scared but the next day she took them again, I don't have any feelings for my sister cause of alot of reasons..but at that time I was worried, and I live a terrible life...but I try to stay stronge, Im always seeing people try things cause of other people or pain...but its not the only way out, and its the only way to have fun, everyone has one life, think before you do...but where here for a reason and thats to make the future for the children better, and as long as there is people who still care thats all that matters now, just try your best on making people understand. Im glad ive made it as far asa I did, and I am hoping, nothing ever happens to me like, im smart and I do not take pills or crack...but I know an ofly alot about drugs, but im looking forward to seeing you next year when I am in 10th cause today the 10th and 12th graders went to your essembly, and I was happy when I heard that, I never forgot Erin, thats another reason why I don't like neeedles. But thanks for touching my heart and stuff...keep helping others. And I will raise my hand next year in the auditorium for you. And my name Kim M. Kim <Bootaful420@aol.com>
Trainer, PA USA - Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 21:04:34 (EDT)Hi Mrs. Allen,
My name is Maria and I am a graduate student studying computer Graphics design. I am really sorry about your daughter's death, and actually I am sorry about every single person that goes through drugs. I was really touched about your daughter's story, I made a small animation about her for a class project. And I would like to share it with you, actually send it to you, since is part of you, and your daughter.
Please email me when you will read this.
It's really amazing of what you are doing right now, because by talking about your daughter's
story I believe you are going to help a lot of people that are in her position right now.
Maria
Maria Bairaktari <mariabp39@hotmail.com>
Rochester, NY USA - Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 20:13:25 (EDT)i feel the grief you must feel, but it a hard habit to stop. from the first jab of the needle, i was hooked. just the thought of this brings a need for more. i am sure that it is the devil who pushes me to do it. i also deal the junk to make money for my habit, and when i am desparate, i prostitute myself or my girl friend, who is also hooked. pray for us to end this evil habit.
william <will211@yahoo.com>
greensburg, pa USA - Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 12:04:52 (EDT)This comment is for Rose. I think you are exactly right in saying that heroin addicts tend to be sensitive souls who truly love and want to help the people around them. my uncle was an addict and from what i've heard he was like that. I have cyclothymia, which is sort of like bipolar disorder, and I honestly believe I would be on heroin if it wasn't for Erin and my uncle. It wasn't a stupid question.
Rose <katiedid@mac.com>
Doylestown, PA USA - Monday, May 06, 2002 at 17:40:27 (EDT)I have written you before, and again I want to thank you for helping so many people, myself included. if it wasn't for you i believe that i may be on drugs by now. today I realized that i have a problem and need help. all i do is think about drugs. i have filled journal after journal just saying how badly i want them over and over. i can't explain it, but it's like i don't even want the drugs, it's like another person inside me. they say that this can be genetic, and I've noticed that for the past three or four generations in my dad's family, the oldest child gets the "addiction" gene. So far nothing's happened with me, the oldest, and i want to keep it that way. i think my mother knows that something is going on but I don't know how to voice it to her. I always remind myself of what happened to Erin, but it's not working anymore. Could someone write me back with advice? God bless you, Erin and Marie, and anyone who is going through what you went through.
Rose <katiedid@mac.com>
Doyestown, PA USA - Monday, May 06, 2002 at 17:36:54 (EDT)you came to my school (delcastle) on may 1 and i am so sorry about your daughter erin. my brother has done drugs before thank god he doesnt do them any more he never did heroin but i know when he was on pot he was really mean and i was so scared of him know he is my best friend i am also sorry for the pethetic people who did laugh they are really stupid. i pray for you and your family every night. thank you for comeing to our school
jeremy thmpson <jtandchase911>
wilmington, de USA - Sunday, May 05, 2002 at 16:04:27 (EDT)I found this story deeply moving and have the deepest sympathy for everyone who is going through any situation like this. May God be with everyone and remember to trust in him and he will take you through the hard times as well as the good because he loves you
ANONYMOUS
Glasgow, Scotland - Sunday, May 05, 2002 at 11:21:07 (EDT)Erin~ you are in my mind and heart everyday. I love you and I miss you. I wonder if you can hear me talking to you evernight. I like to think you wait for me everynight to hear me say goodnight. Please continue to stay with me. I love you forever. You were the best big sister in the world. I love you
Erin's lil sis <bttrsctch1978@aol.com>
Willmington, DE USA - Sunday, May 05, 2002 at 00:43:53 (EDT)The loss of your daughter is inconceivable. I don't understand how I can say that when I have put myself in some of the same positions as she. I am so sorry. Although I haven't done dope in a long time...as everyone here knows it's always calling you. I find that the effort the city is making presently helps a bit. Does anyone feel the same way? Yes we've seen it before. Operation Sunrise just had everyone scrambling a few blocks another way. If we can't see the way to save ourselves then maybe this can be helpful. Thank you Mrs. Allen for a place to vent. Good luck to annonymous who posted below. It's heartbreaking. Also this may be a dumb? question, but has anyone ever found that most heroin addicts were/are extra sensitive people with alot of emotion? Alot of times those kind of people always trying to save the world...everyone except themselves? What's up with that? * I've also found that alot of heroin addicts are bi-polar. I was never diagnosed as such, but certainly know I am.
Emma
Philly, USA - Saturday, May 04, 2002 at 18:17:56 (EDT)I have read your story and send my seepest sympathy. I am also an addict in recovery. I have lost my boyfriend to the addiction. I have this last chance to stay clean it has been 2 yrs and your story just might have gave me just the inspiration to stay clean one more day. A day at a time they say and I do just that. thank you for the inspiration and my prayers go out to you and your family. May she rest in peace free now from the addiction in gods arms........Terri
Theresa <Terri8673@msn.com>
worcester, ma USA - Saturday, May 04, 2002 at 09:31:36 (EDT) Iwas so touched by your story,I had to write you. I have a 33 year old daughter in Prison now. She is a hreoin addict. She did some terrible things not only to her faimly but most of all to herself. He Dad and I are raising her little son that is 7. I pray everyday of my life that I never have to face such heartache,but I have to say I am scared to death of the future. She is saying and doing all the right things now. The future is up to her and God. My Deepest Regards,A Mom in need of prayers
Brenda Mastrolia <Mastroliab@cs.com>
Harrisburg, Pa. USA - Saturday, May 04, 2002 at 00:05:45 (EDT)I am batteling addiction and this story just might save my life.I have to stop fooling myself and get a handle on my life.thank you for your story. anthony davis
port huron, mi USA - Friday, May 03, 2002 at 13:38:10 (EDT)Dear Mrs. Allen,
I have wrote on this page before but i figure I would write again cause I have a major problem, well not onle am I a heroin addict but so is all my friends and my little brother. When he first found out I had shot up for the first time he was furious he told me I was discusting and if I did it again he would never talk to me again. Well eventually he stopped hounding me about it because come to find out he was no longer sniffing it he too is shooting up. he means the world to me and I love him more than life itself and I feel like what knid of example am I setting for him? He started doingg heroin before I did but I started banging it first and I feel like I did curiosity killed the cat with him. He was wondering why I was doing it. What was the big deal well now he knows and it's to late to turn back time. My parents think I should go to rehab I am supposed to go Monday morning at 9 am but I am not going. I know I should but I am gonna try to do it myself I haven't had anything today I feel alright but I know I will be feeling it tomorrow. I am just so scared to leave my little brother for a whole month I am scared I will come home and he will either be dead or a major junkie.(Worse then he already is)I don't want to tell my parents about him they already suspect it but god I don't want to snitch on him. I am really confused and don't know what to do!!!!!! But I know in my heart I can't leave him behind without me to watch over him!!!! I feel like a coward but I will talk to him tomorrow and try to talk to him........
anonymous
baltimore, md USA - Friday, May 03, 2002 at 00:07:57 (EDT)you attended my school(delcastle) yesterday, i want you to know that you truly did reach some students, i know i cried through out the whole assembly. I also would like to apologize for the student who laughed when you were telling your daughters story, i hope you don't think that all of our students are that immature. i would also like to tell you that i admire your courage and strength. i could never tell and re-tell such a tragic story.
Shanna <cutelilshorti587>
new castle, de USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 19:14:45 (EDT)Dear Mrs. Allen,
I had wrote back in March. I read these condolences everyday. Please continue to do what you are doing. You have touched so many people.
If any more students from Delcastle read in here the ones that wrote in I admire you. Your right the person that laughed was really weak!! Maybe even fearful of what they have done. Stand strong and Ms.Ellen I think you are a very strong person. My son has been in rehab for heroin. I know that by me reading Erins story everyday and reading others opinions helps me to be stronger.God Bless you!
Sheri <KrAzEdOne58@aol.com>
IL USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 19:00:03 (EDT)hi mrs.allen you came to myschool yesterday(delcastle) and im sorry that your daughter died and thank you for sharing your story because i think that it affected all of us and most of us cried because we could imagine all the pain you were going through when you had to stand in front of a bunch of strangers and tell your daughters story,and then have someone laugh while you were telling the story. and i hope your doing ok.
~ shanda ~
shanda .W. <satandacat@aol.com>
new castle, DE USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 17:14:26 (EDT)Dear mrs. allen,
i go to delcastle high school. i am very sorry for the lost of ur child. i pray for u and your family for the lost. i haven't gone through that emotion yet. i hope to never go through it. i am sorry for the way some people laugh.
christie <hotgirl20045@hotmail.com>
wilmington, de USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 14:19:31 (EDT)Yesterday you came to our school *delcastle* and unfortunatly I wasnt here to view the assembly but I heard it was great. I also heard that a girl from our school laughed in the middle of it all and you walked out. I am very sorry about that and I hope you dont think everybody at delcastle is like that. All of my friends were crying and they promise they wont try it so youve changed theyre lives thanx
Brittany <babygrlbritt2000@aol.com>
DE USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 12:39:53 (EDT)Im A student form Delcastle and u came to our school yesterday andyour storie really touched me...i never knew drugz could make a persons life..change for the worse...im very sorry to hear about your daughter...i've been praying for you...i went throught the same thing with my father and i know how much it can effect a person and even people around you.....thats why im drug free...even under peer-pressure...i stay that way
i Appricaite..you coming to our school
Jessica <Lasttemptaion5@aol.com>
New CAstle, De USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 12:24:49 (EDT)Hi Mrs.Allen. I am a student from Delcastle technical high. I went to the assembly yesterday and i was very touched and it brought tears to my eyes. Not only was i thinking about Erin throughout your story, i was thinking about a friend of mine who is going through what your daughter went through. we dont know how to help him at all and im scared for him. Im not very close to him but im still scared for him. I am also ashamed for the way a couple of our students had acted today. I know it was hard for you to go up there and tell your story and im sure it made it harder by them laughing. I would like to ask you to please accept my apology on behalf of those students who did laugh since they were to much of a coward to reveal themselves.Delcastle appreciates very much that you shared your story with us. I have heard your story before and was touched just as much the second time. I am very sorry for all that you have been through and i hope it only gets better from here on. You have impacted many lives and you should continue to....your doing a great thing here sharing this stroy. Please dont allow the students who laughed today make a bad impression of our school and i would like to ask you to come back next year to share your story and once again impact other lives. Thank you once again. : )
Michelle <mlf122@aol.com>
Middletown, De USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 09:53:27 (EDT)Thankyou for your committment to life is what ihave osay you dont or may realize that you have saved may of us.. i am from delcastle hs when u came in today i was touched and i hurt for the pain you have whent through ... i know u have heard this alot but i am sorry for the way that some of my peers acted today ! seeing you walking out made not only that person or people feel bad but it affected the rest of us we realized that even if it wasnt us laughing that we need to grow up. I know people that suffer and have died from drugs including heroin ... I know u have saved many people just please keep your message goin we need it i am so sorry as i said before and tahnk you!!
Lauren <babezcrazy8@netscape.net>
wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 21:38:49 (EDT)i want to let you know how much you impacted me with you daughters story. when you came to my school today(delcastle) i figured it would just be another assembly that i could sleep through..but then i realized i couldnt. as soon as they started to show the pictures i was so horrified that people could do that to themselves..and that i know a few people who use that. i never thought it could be so bad until i heard your story. i dont cry often but what you said touched me heart and brought tears to my eyes. i dont know what its like to lose some one i love to drugs but i doubt i would be able to deal with it.i think your very strong to be able to tell the story over and over again and i hope that what you said sank into other people as much as it did me, and i hope you werent too offended by the immature person that laughed. im sorry on behalf of delcastle for that, and i want to thank you for coming today, you really changed my perspective on things.
sarah <aphrodite04567@aol.com>
newark, de USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 21:37:06 (EDT) I know you herd this many times now, but i'm sorry for the immature students at my school (Delcastle). I know how you feel i lost several friends to drugs, it hurts when you can't stop them, i know. Acually i just lost a good friend 4 months ago, he overdosed on heroin with his girlfriend and she ran, she didn't get help just ran away, he died there alone. He was an addict since the age 14 and still would be if he were here, He died at 21. I am sorry that drugs took your daughters life, and i'm sorry for students at my school that laughed. I can tell you everytime I play that song by Pink Floyd i will remember the day you came and shared your story. Thank you so much for what you have done, i cried and i'll cry again when i hear that song and remember that day and think of how you are doing now. I hope the students who wrote to you show you were not all immature.
Amy <lilgurl3126@yahoo.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 20:38:08 (EDT)I know i have written on this page befor but i would like to share a poem with everyone I have written about Heroin.
You cant control what you do
It's a habbit embeded in you
You tried to escape the pain it brings
Making all of your veins sing
When you tried it you did'nt know
Exactly what the future would hold
And now that you know what the effects really are
You sit there and wunder how you let it get this far
You fight and you fight
To beat this nasty sin
But in ur heart you feel you'll never win
Everything in your life has slowly disappeared
You can feel the growing pain inside
And it all statred onvr that one little sin
That one thing you should have never done
That one thing is heroin
Shannon Hufnal <www.xxoprincezoxx@aol.com>
Bear, De USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 20:13:25 (EDT)Dear Mrs. Allen,
I go to Delcastle h.s. and when you spoke there today(may 1) there was a kid who laughed at what you had to say about your daughter. I just wanted to let you know how sorry i am about that laughter. I have heard you speak before when i went to Conrad M.S. amd i was deeply touched, as i was again this time. I was offered herion at a party that i attended last year, you helped save my life. I remembered what you had said about your daughter Erin telling you that she was addicted after the first try. Remembering that i turned it down. Given the path that i was on at the time i probably would have takin the herion without second thought if it weren't for remembering your speech. When you spoke at my school today, once again i was deeply touched and hurt very badly because of the laughter. I cant, and dont want, to imagine what i could've turned out like if it weren't for you. Thank you for making such a strong impact on my life and i hope you continue to speake for a long time so that you can help other people just like me again.
Thank you very much,
Kristina
Kristina <BbygrlK12@aol.com or Kcougars2002@aim.com>
newark, de USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 20:11:54 (EDT)I cried today, and I'm not afraid to admit it. My cousin was at your daughters funeral, and I beleive she was a herion addict as well. I am very sorry about the laughter. Maybe they laugh because they don't know how painful it is, or maybe, they laugh because they're afraid of the truth. The rest of us at Delcastle aren't that immature, in fact, you've changed a lot of us. After seeing what herion does to people, many of us can't believe it's still on the streets. It's disgusting to see what people will do to each other.Thankyou, very much for today. It'll stay with me forever.
Good luck for the future.
Lin <guitargoddesslin@aol.com>
NewCastle, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 19:29:52 (EDT)Hello. I would like to thank you for comming to Delcastle today and talking to our very immature students about Herion and how it took a tragic toll on your daughter Erin's life. I would also like to apologize for the actions of the students at the assembly. They are very incosiderate of other peoples feeling and I would like to assure you that not everyone in Delcastle is like that. There is a person very close to me that I feel might be using Heroin and now, because of your impacting speech, I feel comfertable enough about approacing that person about their addiction. Once again I am very sorry about the actions of our students at Delcastle and I hope you accept my apology. Thank you
Shannon Hufnal <www.xxoprincezoxx@aol.com>
Bear, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 19:27:33 (EDT)I am glad that you came to the school today (delcastle) and shed a new light on how hard life is for those addicted to heroin. for years i have thought that it was all for self desire and there was no consideration for others. today, i have learned that it isn't just to get high and feel euphoria but rather it is a need for the body, to an addict it is a chemical that is needed to perform simple tasks, that chemical is producing an insatiable thirst for more. its sick that it still exists and increases to grow as a market in this day and age. i hope the actions of others didn't make an impression on our school but rather how others can't cope with certian things around them in a mature manner. i try to think that the laughter was not out of disrespect to you but as a way of dealing with pain in a way so that he or she would not be looked down upon as weak towards thier peers. i hope the latter was the case. Thank You for the story i learned alot L.S.
luke <Longlivemusic522@netscape.net>
Yorklyn, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 19:04:59 (EDT)hello, i would first off like to apologize for the way that the students in my school (delcastle) were acting today. Obviously they are not mature enough to handle such situations, i would also like to give my condolences for the loss of your daughter. My birth mother is a heroin addict and becuase of that i was adopted. I understand what you are goin through allthough i was not there to watch her go through everything. Once again i would like to apologize for the way that some of the ninth grade students of delcastle technical high school acted today. I agree w/ shannon. I also find it funny that i saw u in middle school to and we were much more mature then. Sincerely tricia
tricia <lilcutie4lyfe1@aol.com>
newcastle, del USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 17:56:54 (EDT)Hi, i would like to thank you for comming out to our school and speaking to the people at my school <~~ Delcastle...and also i want to say sorry for the way some of the kids were acting..they do not respect our school..and probualy dont know how bad this drug is. I know it takes a lot of heart to get up in front of a lot of people and speak about the loss of one of your very own child!.I know you have been a good mom and were tuff threw trying to help Erin. i also think this is good that you can get in front of a lot of people and tell the story over and over. i know some people said they herd your story before from you going to all different schools but i never herd it before...this made me realize how serious this stuff can be! When you were speaking i know it was hard for you to speak about your loss but it was hard for me too your story brought tears to ma eyes because i know you tried to help Erin many of times. well take care and thank you again for taking time to talk to us about this drug!!
Jenna <lilhazeleyechic@aol.com>
Towsend, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 17:34:09 (EDT)I am extreamly sorry to hear about the loss of erin. every time i hear this story it sends shivers down my spine. i get tears in my eyes and chills just thinking about it. about 2 years ago, my middle school went to st marks to listen to erins story...and now i'm reading about it. my very best friend lost a brother from a severe overdose. things like this shouldn't happen. you are such a wonderful mother to be there for erin the way you were. hopefully one day people will realize that drugs do nothing but harm leet alone, kill.
erin <singa342@AOL.COM>
WILMINGTON, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 15:58:02 (EDT)I would like to apologize for that behavior at my school-delcastle and i'd like to say that girl does not represent our school im sorry for the pain she caused! and im happy when you come to my school and share erins story because people need to know the affect of their actions! it kinds of confuses me that in middle school you spoke with me last year and people were more respectful last year i'd like to say thank you for taking the time to visit!
shannon <angelbrat23872@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 12:46:58 (EDT)i am thankful for you coming to our school i sorry for your child class of 05 says hi and would like to say thankyou once agan
lovw theresa barrett i am one of the girls thst gave you a hug
theresa barrett <reese2_4@hotmail.com>
wilmington, de USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 11:26:05 (EDT)I am so sorry for the behavior of the student at delcastle. they do not represent what our school stands for.i am so embarrassed.I would like to apologize for their behavior.Again please accept my apology
Cyle.Manz <none>
middle town, DE USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 10:42:37 (EDT)i feel so sorry about what happend to your daughter and i have much respect for you coming to schools and spreading the knowledge of why heroin is a nasty drug.
Pete Hrycak <Pete2005@aol.com>
Middletown, De USA - Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 10:40:08 (EDT)I lost my brother 2 years ago this past March due to a heroin overdose. Asphyxia...thats what they call it. His girlfriend left him to die on the floor of his apartment. Wasn't that SWEET? She was too busy cleaning up the apartment so that the police wouldn't find any drugs...my brother died.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Does anybody know of a/an organization for families of heroin victims? Please contact me at my email, I so very much want to spread the word about this awful nitemare drug. My bothers name is Jaret, he would have celebrated his 29th birthday, 3 days before he celebrated his death day, March 28, 2000.
Stacey <my2keyboy@netscape.net>
stephens city, va USA - Monday, April 29, 2002 at 19:07:57 (EDT)Im Sorry about Erin. Its so Sad. I was actually searching the internet for heroin overdoses because I think I did one. I am probably going to live but I Pray to God I stop soon. I have 2 dogs and people that mean so much to me too. I dont want to leave them. Anyway I pray to God I can do this. Your site helped me really think. Thank you very much.
B. <ca9ball@yahoo.com>
Thousand Oaks, CA USA - Monday, April 29, 2002 at 05:47:50 (EDT)Your website is a wonderful tribute. Just wanted to add the death of my best friend was also treated by the authorities as a meaningless event.
But we know better. sylvie
USA - Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 07:37:07 (EDT)Your website is a wonderful tribute. Just wanted to add the death of my best friend was also treated by the authorities as a meaningless event.
But we know better. sylvie
USA - Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 07:36:21 (EDT)I am in the 7th grade at springer middle school and "Heroin Alert" came to my school and I was so sickened by what people do to feel the way they want to. I just wanted to say how sorry I feel about Erin and I noe how it feels to have someone in your family who does heroin and it makes you feel like your no one because that person dosent know what they are doin to you and their life.
Maria <Gurlblink182@aol.com>
Wilmington, DE USA - Friday, April 26, 2002 at 22:22:50 (EDT)i am very to hear of your loss of erin, i am not a user but recently lost my best friend just 2wks ago and coming to terms with her death my friend was 19 and only been a user for 3wks unknown to me i found out too late.my friend karen her name, moved with her boyf who was a user and from being a pleasent outgoing fantastic girl she made a big dicission a one that would change her life forever and she has paid badly for it by loosing her life. i do believe all heroin users are good people and have no intention of hurting anyone, they are doing it for the "feeling". the people i blame is the supliers how dare they risk so many valueable lives for their weeks earnings! my friends death came to me as a big shock and hurt very badly as karen couldnt come and talk to me about it and let me help it obviously got a hold on her pretty quickly as karen would of wanted out. as i know nothin about heroin i decided i would look on the internet to find out more about it and i came across your story of your daughter which i read and my heart goes out to you so much and all of your family you have been very brave and have coped well i have read other comments and it is making a great affect on the users lives and they are learning from it. i would like to thanku for doing all this in memory of your daughter and tell you i think it will make a great effect on others. here is something for you to read whenever u get low .. WHEN YOU WALK TO THE EDGE OF ALL THE LIGHT YOU HAVE LEFT, YOU WILL BELIEVE ONE OF TWO THINGS, 1) YOU WILL HAVE SOMETHING SOLID TO STAND UPON, 2)YOU WILL LEARN TO FLY.
i do believe you will always be ok, time may heal but there is always the sadness and hurt that stays within, erin and my friend will live on in a better place away from the torment that i do believe. i just hope all you readers learn from this very very tragic girls life under the wing of H.
it is a damn shame the best ones always have to go.
my love to all of you, erins family friends, readers keep your head held high and learn from this i know i have , whatever happens say to your self you will always be ok, when i get down and to my lowest and cant pickup i just think this is not me i gotta b me again and when i pick up again i know i am always going to be ok love jessica
jessica marley <marleyjessica@aol.com>
durham, england - Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 19:07:41 (EDT)I'm very sorry about your daughter and may she rest in peace. I was an addict but have kept myself clean for the last 3 years. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I tried to kill myself because I thought I would never be able to kick the habit. Every night I asked the lord to help me and if I was going to live this life to take me with him. After partying hard one night and coming home and looking at my 5 beautiful children, I feel to my knees and cried out to god like a little baby. I screamed and begged. He must of heard my prayers because thanks to him I've been clean for 3 years. In August it will be 4 years and I couldn't be happier. I am now attending UCF and will be attending Law school in 2 years. Once a junkie always a junkie? WRONG!! If I did it you all can too. God Bless
Gloria <preciouspr1005@aol.com>
Orlando, fl USA - Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 14:39:25 (EDT)I read Erin's story tonite, it reminds me a little bit of myself... I too have a heroin addiction and I too know how it feels to be alone and think this devil has took over us. It's only been a year but in this short time I have lost everything including the only thing in this world that looks up to me which is my child. I've missed out on the last year of my precious babies life because I've been so sad and always turn to heroin to comfort me. I pray to god that the lord will help me thru this and help me be strong enough to fight this evil demond and get my innocent little boy back. I don't want to end up like erin I want help! I hope this doesn't take over my life the way it took over hers and I really send my love and condolences to your family and may Erin rest in peace!!!!!!
unknown <foxygrl1217@hotmail.com>
balto, md USA - Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 01:18:03 (EDT)I am very sorry for your loss. I am currently in a relationship with a man who has been struggling with a heroin addiction for many years. Some of my friends and family members cannot grasp the reason of why I choose to stay with this man. The only simple thing I can say is I truly love HIM. I may hate his addiction and what has become of him but I still love the man. I have seen him on his knees crying to me for help because he could not stay clean. I remember the first time I witnessed him overdose. I was never so scared in my entire life. I had never witnessed anything like that before. The fear and helplessness I felt seemed to be unbearable. Funny how when time passes and feelings deepen that your soul can withstand more and more. After the overdose, he managed to stay off heroin for a few months. For some reason, it called him back. His addiction has brought him from a hardworking man who held down 3 jobs to support us to a man who sold drugs just to keep his habit up. I have tried to the best of my ability to understand the unbelievable draw to this one particular drug yet I cannot. I have prayed to God for the strength to understand it, for the strength to deal with whatever comes my way, and the strength to do the right thing. I just don't want to be playing "Wish You Were Here" at his funeral. I fear for his daughter who is only 15, that she may feel drawn to the same path as her father. She is not my child biologically, however I still care for her and worry about her well-being just the same. If there is anything I could do or say to assure she would never be tempted to follow that path, please someone tell me. As for my boyfriend, I continue to pray for him daily that he finds a better way to ease whatever pain Heroin is numbing for him. He is my world and I love him dearly. I hope someone who reads this can relate to me. If they can, please let me know. I need to know if these people have a way out.
Tina <kissthegemini@aol.com>
USA - Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 21:32:45 (EDT)I am so sorry for your loss. My daughter`s drug addiction started at the age of 16. She is a heroin addict and also uses cocaine and ecstasy, and I`, sure anything else she can get. In January, she lost her fiance (21 yrs old) to lung cancer. Before this happened she lived with me and it has been worse than a nightmare. I have, for the past 3 yrs. lived, alept, and breathed the agony of watching her slowly decline. Every morning I would go into her room and make sure she was alive. Every time the phone rang at work, I thought sure it was the call that my baby girl was gone forever. I have spent three long heartbreking years trying to get help for her. I went to court, I had her taken to the hospital in handcuffs to be tested, (where the county guidance center said she wasn`t in danger and they had seen people using for years. I was told the paperwork from the court was useless. I took her to a facility for help where they released her after 4 days (this was in the beginning). I have been living my life so aware of everything involving her. Recently she was arrested for selling heroin, ecstasy and cocain. She was a high honors student all through school, she wanted to be a lawyer. She was beautiful. Now she looks anorexic and since losing her boyfriend has given up. I pray so hard for God to keep her safe. I hope the court will do the right thing this time and put her into a longterm rehab. All addicts have to hit rockbottom and she has hit hers. My fear is that she doesn`t care enough anymore to try. My heart goes out to you and your daughter, I wonder if there is anything that will ever really help.
Ronda <ronewalker@msn.com>
NH USA - Monday, April 22, 2002 at 22:08:52 (EDT)it is such a terrible loss and i have sufferd this my self i lost my cousin at the age of 19 she was a beutiful girl and we where more like twin sisters than cousins we was never apart from being born up untill the age of 13 there was less than a year between us and we lived next door to each other for most of our life but she got in with the rong crowd and now there is no more melanie she was a very inteligent girl but not clever enough to say no it doesnt stop there my younger brother whent the rong way as well he has spent time in prison once and when he came out he did very well for a short period of time but then whent back to it he then got clean again got a house and started getting it together but now i fear he has gone the rong way again i havnt heard from him in a week i just sit every day waiting for that phone call saying your brother has gone because i know thats where it well end i know if he just had some encouragment and understanding from our dad then he would stand a better chance in life people say it is the worst thing loesing a baby but i think there is nothing worse than loesing a child you have brought up for 19 years and built a relationship with over all those years your not only mother and daughter you are also best friends i offer you my condolences charlie short <charlieshort@vizzavi.net>
united kingdom - Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 09:11:12 (EDT)ADDICTION AFFECTS EVERYONE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
VISIT heroin-addict.com and learn about drugs and addiction, ask questions and get answers
Rahjen Black <recoveryguru@aol.com>
DETROIT, USA - Friday, April 19, 2002 at 11:42:08 (EDT)I am truly sorry for your loss. I am presently in several programs for my herion addiction. I'm 2 months clean so far. I still have a tough road ahead of me but I'm ready for it. I have three kids and they know everything about my situation. They are very proud of me going to get the help I need. And that makes me feel good. I am not going to let them down again. May 1 I will be going to a place called the Serentity for 30 days then onto a 90 day program. I can't wait to get started on my new life. I also had a good friend of mine die of a accidental overdose. He was in jail for 3 months and when he got out he was clean and thought he could handle what he was doing before he went in there. Well he got himself a couple of pills of dope and some xanax and took them thinking he was just going to get high. Well he fell asleep and never woke up again. And my sister-in-law blames herself because she was in and out of the house all day and she thought he was just asleep. I told her there was probably nothing she could of done for him. I am getting my life back and I'm going for the gold. First for me then for my kids. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. May God bless you.
Robin Nelsen
of Virginia
Robin Nelsen <robin@robin.com>
Chesapeake, Va USA - Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at 12:41:52 (EDT)I have just read your daughters story and it truly brought tears to my eyes. i am a 15 year old girl and alot of my old friends turned to HEROIN. there was one lad his name was Gav Brown he had the personality and was a great friend hes 17 been to a young offenders twice and absolutley hates Heroin but it took along time for him to realise what he was doing was wrong.It just proves that when people say "ONCE AN ADDICT ALWAYS AN ADDICT" they are actually wrong.
Treat Erin well up there Lord she has had a hard life . ANY ADDICTS READING THIS PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP HOPE
ami <amihinks69@hotmail.com>
cannock, England - Monday, April 15, 2002 at 09:25:03 (EDT)The speech you gave really was a good one, and i can tell that it hurts to talk about it, but i saw that you are a very strong person, and you have to keep going strong. the assembly wouldnt have been nearly as informative without you telling your real story. it shows that good people do have bad things happen to them, but in some way, hope always comes out of it. :)
A Stuent From Arcola
USA - Saturday, April 13, 2002 at 17:53:57 (EDT)Dear, Ms. Allen I am one of the students you give a presentation to on Thursday April 11th at Arcola Intermediate School, and I must say your story moved me and inspired me not to take drugs.
Erin will laways be remembered by us at Arcola. Your performance showed all of us how bad drugs really are. Sometimes I get picked on but I have a heart that will inspire me to keep going like Erin. I am once again very sorry for lose and I deeply mourn for erin. May she rest in peace.
Greg Rhoads <GJR4455@aol.com>
Lansdale, PA USA - Saturday, April 13, 2002 at 12:52:59 (EDT)Mrs Allen, I have just read your daughters story. I cant really express how much it moved me. I currently work in a Detox clinic in England & talk to famillies everyday going through your pain & torment in trying to help their children & siblngs. If you publishing Erin's story saves just 1 life it will have been worth while. You have inspired so many younsters with you svhool talks I hope they litened to what you had to say & do not experiment with any kind of drugs. Be strong Mrs Allen, your daughter walks with you everyday, she will never fade in your memory or in the memories of the people you have shared your story with. I have printed it off to share with the people I work in the hope that it helps them work hard at staying clean.
God bless you & your family, your story will stay with me.
Claire Hogan <clairehogan@cwcom.net>
York, England - Friday, April 12, 2002 at 18:06:44 (EDT)I recently posted below and thank you for your response. To all parents who are watching their children die, I wonder if you have thought, at times, the way I do. Sometimes I wonder if my 20 yr old son is not better off with God where he would suffer no more. The people who have posted here that are active users as well as Erin's story has made me realize more than ever the pain my son endures daily. And the pain I endure daily watching him kill himself. As I stated the fear is overwhelming. I have often felt that I was having a nervous breakdown the panic and fear and pain is just tooooooo much. I have suffered with my son for over 2 years now, much less than many other parents and active addicts have. How do you SURVIVE? Nar anon meetings haven't really helped me. The night my son went into cardiac arrest I dreamt that he had died, not knowing it really happened to him. At midnight I was calling all over to try and find him because of the dream. The next day when he came home from the hospital he told me, in tears, that he died for 7 minutes the night before. I don't want to sleep anymore. It seems the devil sneaks into my own sleep and is wreaking havoc in my life. And sleep use to be the only thing I looked forward to at night. My only time to escape his grasp during the day. Now I don't have that anymore. To all parents, if you have survival tips, I sure can use them ALL.
God Bless to All
Carol R <Depsprings@aol.com>
NJ USA - Friday, April 12, 2002 at 07:34:05 (EDT)Mrs. Allen,
After listening to your story today about Erin I suddenly had a love for life and a strive for love. Your story influenced me in ways you could never imagine. I cannot and I don't think I will ever be able to feel the pain you have and I am sorry that you must live with that. But, I will tell you one thing, Erin is probably watching from up above and saying to herself what a great and caring Mom she has to be warning young people about the drug that took her life. I appreciate everything you said and I took every word into consideration as to what the future holds. I thak you for coming to my school and sharing Erin's story with all of us. Everyone should live life to the limit because tomorrow may never come!
Sarah
PA USA - Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 21:19:50 (EDT)Hello Mrs. Allen. Your daughters story helps motivate me to stay clean. I first read about your daughter in October. I remember her every day. As a recovering addict, I admire your strength and courage to share your family's experiences to educate others about this horrible
disease. As an addictions worker, I applaud you and your family for having this courage. People need to be educated. Not just the general population, but our health care professionals as well. For any addict out there, don't despair! There is life without drugs. And a great one at that!For everyone else, give someone you love a hug and tell them you love them.
kate <nasun2@1cqmail.com>
hamilton, on canada - Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 19:14:06 (EDT)Before today, I'd never really thought about the effect drugs could have on an individual and their family and friends. After your part of the presentation, though, it really all started to hit home. I can't believe that such a small thing could do such large amounts of damage to a person, as it unfortunately did to your daughter Erin. Statistics and graphs can only do so much. Hearing about a actual person who suffered from drug use, especially from a family member who also had to endure the painful experience at the same time, makes it all the more real. Please know that I offer my deepest condolances, and that you are not alone in wanting to take action. I would never think about choosing that path, and I'm so sorry that your daughter did. But I believe that everything happens for a reason, and sharing Erin's story with others keeps her from having suffered in vain. As a teenager, I know all too well about peer pressure and temptations, but being informed is a step in the right direction. Thank you so much for taking the time and making the effort to help prevent others from falling into the trap of drug use.
Lindley Y. <shortnsweet11788@aol.com>
Audubon, PA USA - Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 18:13:44 (EDT)Mrs.Allen, I am an eighth grader at Arcola intermediate school. I just want to let you know that I greatly appreciate you going to schools and telling Erin's story. I hope what
I'm about to say does not offend you or your family because that is not intended. But as I was sitting there today listening to you talk, I could not imagine that actually happening. It felt like I was watching a T.V show. But now I am aware that people can't get off this garbage. Thank you for telling Erin's story. I think it will help lots of people.
Janet H. <Janet122000@aol.com>
PA USA - Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 15:59:08 (EDT)Dear Mrs. Allen, I am deeply sorry for the death of Erin. I am a male eigth grader at Arcola Intermediate School. You spoke to my school at a presentation on April 11, 2002 about Erin. I just want you to know that I feel sorry for you, and the rest of your family. When I lived in Philadelphia, my next door neighbor died from an overdose on heroin, and he was an awesome person, and I'm sure Erin was too. Well I respect the fact that you go around and do presentations and speeches about Erin and heroin, that shows alot of courage. Thank you.
Casey Whitehead <Bigpoppakc@cs.com>
Collegeville, PA USA - Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 15:38:59 (EDT)I guess that the reason that I am writing is to say that I am sorry. I was a heroin addict myself and later I lost friends and a husband to the addiction, so I know the pain that is on both sides of addiction. I am only twenty-one now, but with the things that I have seen I sometimes feel like I am fifty - heroin is painful whether you are the addict or the person standing on the sideline. I didn't mean to hurt anyone, but in the end what I did and didn't mean to do turned out to be of no consequence. I know that it's hard giving up the quest to find someone or something to blame, but everything is a part of the addiction. I am to blame for my addiction, just as sure as there were other factors involved. All that I can do now is say that I am so sorry for your loss as well as my own losses. PLEASE, if anyone needs someone to talk to that has been there, either with the addiction or otherwise, drop me a line. If you want help and I can't give it, chances are that I know someone who will be able to offer the help you need. Again, I'm sorry for all of the losses that are caused by this disease.
Erin A. <jasparagus@aol.aom>
Springfield, VA USA - Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 13:14:08 (EDT)My heart goes ou to every sinfle family member who has either lost a child or who is going he the pain of watching a loved one on addiction. I placed my son in jail. Insurance company's are a scam, they paid for 14 days of my son's rehab then discharged him. Four hours later a needle was in his arm and he overdosed. Went into cardiac arrest for 7 minutes, but they finally got him back wih Narcan. I have goen him a bed in rehab, LONG TERM rehab. But I have read all these posts and I wonder if my son will ever beat this. Looks like the statistics are against him. He doesn't wan o go to rehab on a court order or ROR. He said he doesn't want to be taken to rehab in shackles. He told me he has dignity. I told him he devil took hat away from him 2 yrs ago. I guess this is it. If he doesn't make it with this program, I fear that I too will be posting here on his death. The FEAR is overwhelming. It is fear of the unknown. Will it happen? Will I get that phone call? I saw him last night and although he has had no herion in 3 weeks I can see inside he is screaming for it. Mentally he is anguished by the lack of it. He was going to get bailed out last night by a junkie friend. I wen to this so called friend and said you bail him out I will kick your ass and sell your ass down the river to the police. As of this morning, my son is still in jail, Amen. I pray for us all. Did you ever realize that we are addicts too. Our children are addicted to this evil drug and we are addicted to our children. We are addiced to trying to save them. Nothing stops us. Is this what we are suppose to do? I can' stop. I can't imagine living without him. I also struggle with what everyone says to do. THROW hem ou on he street. But hen I hear addiction is a diease like cancer or diabetes, If our children don't take their insulin do we put them out? If they don' go for heir radiation treament do we put them out. It still is ALL confusing to me.
Dear GOD, please watch over us all and give us he strength to carry on. Dear Erin, keep giving your mother the strength from above, so she can continue the good she has started. ALL in your memory.
Carol R <depsprings@aol.com>
NJ USA - Wednesday, April 10, 2002 at 06:59:28 (EDT)I have read Erin's story and it touched my heart deeply. I have a son suffering from heroin, who is in prison now and just can't seem to shake this terrible disease. We tried everything we could to help him. I hope everyone who suffers from drugs reads this story and realizes how it affects everyone's life around them, especially the people who really love them. My heart and prayers go out to all of you.
J. Bersani <goldmine50@hotmail.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Tuesday, April 09, 2002 at 23:23:11 (EDT)May Erin's story help to save the lives of those addicted to heroin. You are to be admired for sharing your story. May God Bless you all. We will pray for you always. Lovingly, in Christ, Theresa Blasucci
President
H.E.A.L. Theresa Blasucci <healaddiction@aol.com>
Glendale Heights, IL USA - Monday, April 08, 2002 at 14:07:16 (EDT)This is a very sad story and i am very sorry for your loss i have a friend who is 27 and an addict and every day i worry about him
connie Anderson <canderso@stclairc.on.ca>
windsor, canada - Friday, April 05, 2002 at 10:38:59 (EST)Happy Birthday Erin!!! You and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers.
A Friend
Newark , DE USA - Wednesday, April 03, 2002 at 10:04:59 (EST)Dear Erin, I love you and miss you. Happy Birthday, continue to watch over us. Love Mom
Mom <margeral@aol.com>
Wilm, Del USA - Wednesday, April 03, 2002 at 10:03:37 (EST)I have lost 2 brothers to this terrible drug,so I know how some of you all feel.You might say no you don't but I do,I am a recovering addict my self.All you need to do is stay focus,pray and take it one day at a time.Its not an addiction,its a sicknest...
1 love to the world.
Joe Thomas Jr. <THEONEBUNN6@aol.com>
Wash., DC USA - Tuesday, April 02, 2002 at 20:53:36 (EST)I am so very deeply sorry for your loss and continued pain. I came to this site because someone very special to me is addicted to heroin and I don't know how to respond. How scary it is to learn that this addiction is so common. My prayers are with you.
a friend
USA - Monday, April 01, 2002 at 10:48:49 (EST)In 1997 I lost my beautiful sister and best friend to heroin. She was only 26. I too saw her body at the morgue and can relate to how insensitive the medical personnel are. She was just another junkie to them. I related all to well to your story of Erin. I'm sorry for your loss.
Anna Saphiloff <iambanana75@hotmail.com>
San Diego, CA USA - Monday, April 01, 2002 at 01:50:02 (EST)I read Erin's story and I'm so sorry for your loss. Erin seems like she was a very sweet person with a lot going for her, and I think it is one of life greatest injustices that these deaths are so frequent. I stumbled upon you site while working on a drug assignment and because of it, I am adding Erin's story to my assignment as an example of the trauma and destruction that drug addictions attract. I think most people have considered drugs at one point in their lives, and im always thinking about it, but your sight has just really got to me. It's so real and startling. This is how the government should deal with the rising drug problems, by showing us what it can do instead of just warning us not to use it. The drug education programme at my school is a joke, and I wish that more of an effort was made to alert people of the reality of drugs. I hope that Erin is in a better place, I really do.
Thania <thazchic@hotmail.com>
Sydney, NSW Aus - Monday, April 01, 2002 at 01:47:31 (EST)I am so sorry about your loss. We as a family are trying to get help for my husbands brother. My God Bless you for trying to help others. Angie in Ohio
Angie
Laurelville, Ohio USA - Sunday, March 31, 2002 at 19:58:06 (EST)I am so sorry about the loss of your daughter. I think it is admirable of you to help others through your loss. I am looking up some information on drug addiction. My husband has a brother that we believe is addicted to heroin. I believe God is the only way out of that nightmare. It helps to see other families go through this terrible ordeal. I only wish yours had a happy ending. God Bless you. Angie
angie
Laurelville, Ohio USA - Sunday, March 31, 2002 at 19:54:36 (EST)BOOK PROPOSAL: The idea of compiling a collection of writings in the form of a book, dealing with “the drug experiences” and drug dependence was born while visiting a number of websites dedicated to drug use and addiction. I firmly believe in the potential strength of such collection of writings exploring the powerful and often devastating effects, which drugs can have on our lives. There is no limit to the literary form, which the pieces can take: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, letters, interviews etc. Nor there is a limit to the way the subject is approached. A number of similar literary collections, including the of writings by famous authors such as De Quincey, Cocteau, Baudelaire, Burroughs, Huxley, Billie Holliday and others, have been published in the past with various degrees of success. However, my primary interest lies in the writings of a wider variety of individuals, reflecting on their unique personal and diverse experiences. My aim is not only to produce a book of gripping and unforgettable literature, but also to attempt to change certain dogmas, social stereotypes and perceptions of “the junkie” and drug user in our society. Both literature and substance “abuse” have been an important part of my life, hence, my deep and sincere dedication to this project.
In 1999 I began research and later the same year the filming two documentaries, "Lemon is Lemon" and "Cinemett or the Time's Coming for the Cat and the Dog to get together," dedicated to the lives of several heroin-addicted kids in Sofia, Bulgaria. Along with the film projects, I have produced a book of over 100 black-and-white photographs depicting various aspects of the lives of these young men and women.
The photographs come in two sizes: 20" by 16" and 11" by 14," both in limited editions of 10 and printed on Ilford fiber-based MGIV glossy paper. All profits from the sale of these photographs or the publication of a book of these images will be donated to charity organizations in Bulgaria, dedicated to helping the vast and ever-growing number of people addicted to heroin. If you would like to support this charitable cause by purchasing a photograph, please contact Konstantin Bojanov at either (718) 389-2528 or (646) 479-9345, or via e-mail at Kbprojects@aol.com. Some of the images could be viewed at http://www.photosource-enhanced.com/bin/Portfolios?launch=pdn-30686
or http://www.zonezero.com/comunity/portfolios/index.html (search for Konstantin Bojanov)
After finishing my work on the two documentaries and the photo book , I can now dedicate my time on the completion of the collection of writings. If you are interested in participating in this project, please submit your works by e-mail (as Word attachments) to: kbprojects@aol.com. You also may wish to include a brief bio and contact information. I will review all submissions and inform the potential participants before any part of their writings is used. The contributors will retain the copyright over their works outside of this publication. For those who wish to remain anonymous, a pen name or simply “Anonymous” could be used instead of the real name of the author. I kindly thank you for your consideration and I offer you my best wishes.
Best Regards,
Konstantin Bojanov
PS Please use “Book project” in the title of your e-mails.
Konstantin Bojanov <Kbprojects@aol.com>
Brooklyn, NY USA - Sunday, March 31, 2002 at 11:39:18 (EST)Does anyone know of any organizations which are available to help people trying to recover? I'm speaking in terms of food, housing, living expenses - help? A family member of mine is on methodone. He has recently been tested and discovered he has Hep. C. - He has been unable to work due to the illness. He has a child. Because he is totally committed to his recovery and will be decreasing - and soon be off of methodone - family members have been pitching in to pay for his apartment and utilities. The State of Delaware offers a very little assistance-for which we are thankful. Are there any charitable organizations which can help bridge the gap until the he can totally get back on his feet? Thank you...
Help? <mkt_sys@yahoo.com>
Wilmington, DE USA - Thursday, March 28, 2002 at 08:04:11 (EST)I just want you to know how deeply your story touched me. I am a 22 year old recovering heroin addict... I just recently got out of prison for things that i did to support my addiction, and I have been clean for 6 months. Reading Erin's journal entry brought tears to my eyes because I have been there and know all to well how awful this drug can be. I am slowly putting my life back together, but God willing I will be fine. Stay strong, and thanks agin for sharing your story.
Katie <KBlay420@aol.com>
Norwalk, CT USA - Wednesday, March 27, 2002 at 16:20:47 (EST)I AM ALSO A RECOVERING HERION ADDICT, CLEAN NOW FOR 6 MONTHS. AND WHEN I READ ERIN'S STORY I JUST BROKE DOWN AND CRYED BECAUSE ITS NOT JUST ERIN IT IS MY STORY TOO. I PRAY I MAKE IT. ERIN'S IN A BETTER PLACE NOW AND I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW I TOO AM JUST LIKE ERIN. WELL IM TOO SHOKE UP TO WRITE ANYMORE, SO GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
LINDA <FANCY0771@AOL.COM>
DALLAS, TX USA - Wednesday, March 27, 2002 at 05:08:10 (EST)i just wanted to say i'm sorry for your loss i am a 23 year old heroin addict.....its harder than anyone can imagine to stop using i've been in rehab 4 times and am currently in treatment i have 1 month clean and recently had a new baby and she was also addicted to heroin but by gods grace i will stay clean this time..........
rachel <adore415@yahoo.com>
santa cruz, ca USA - Sunday, March 24, 2002 at 23:52:39 (EST)IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. IT MUST HAVE BEEN REALLY HARD ON YOU. IT WAS A TRAGEDY BUT THIS TELLS US THAT WE NEED TO FIGHT AND TOTALLY DESTROY THE MAKING OF HEROIN. WE NEED TO MAKE EXTINCT. I HOPE THIS HELPS
PHILLIP LENHART <PAL1P@AOL.COM>
SACRAMENTO, CA USA - Sunday, March 24, 2002 at 13:49:30 (EST) I don't know what is more is more disheartening,the tragic death of Erin or our "rehabilitation/recovery programs". Denial is not an excuse for our gonernment's(us) not persuing the options of maintenance use therapeutic programs. Also,the use of Psycholetic Therapy, the legal therapeutic use of Psychedelics, to help unmask the underlying causes of addiction. Specifically, some of the roots of heroin/opoid addiction, repression and the resulting cycles of grief and bereavement. My sympathy to Erin's family and those who are strugling with Opoids. Alternative therapies are available and effective in the U.K. and in Europe. See Lotsof and Ibogaine on the Net for more on this. The best cure for a broken Self is unconditional Love. Take care of your Self and things will work out for the better. Fear not the Light for it shines beyond the Shadow where the Truth is revealed.
mike o'tuel <mho@triad r.r. com>
Greensboro, n.c. USA - Saturday, March 23, 2002 at 12:33:15 (EST)Sorry to here from erin,as I got a lot of friends trying drugs as it is something nice to them,COOL.But the tears afterwards,the cry for money for the addiction!Use heroin once and you hooked,Rest in Peace Samuel <svries@mweb.co.za>
Cape Town, South Africa - Thursday, March 21, 2002 at 11:58:04 (EST)I wanted to thank you for coming to Wesley College and sharing your daughter's story. It was both informational and interesting. I think that the program is a great way of learning for students. I think that there should more programs like the one I was at. Once again thank you for sharing your story, it was both touching and moving. It definately reached me and I believed it reached others as well. Thank you.
Justin <hugheso15@hotmail.com>
Dover, DE USA - Wednesday, March 20, 2002 at 18:51:29 (EST)I am so sorry to read about the lost of Erin. She is now with the Lord. So she is in excellent hands! God Bless!
Kris <kwatkins@jcfb.org>
Baltimore, MD USA - Monday, March 18, 2002 at 09:59:15 (EST)I have a son who will be 25 in June he is living at home right now we are waiting for a bed in detox again . He started smoking pot at 12 and has done everything from cocaine to pills to drinking now herion and extacy . He was in and out of drs. hospitals he spent 31/1 years in jail and 6 months at daytop now he has started to drink and do herion and extasy . I do not know what else to do i have tried to be understanding and supportive he has stolen monet property from his family and become verbally abusive to us i had to have him arrested for a domes. disturbance we are now waiting for court he has been ordered inpatient rehab he wants to do 30 days but i have had enough my husband wants to leave my 17 year old is tired and so am i . I have asked the court to please send him long term and a full restraing orde so he can not come home . His girlfrien is also a herion abuser and they should not be together . I feel so bad to have to send him away to not come home to use the counseling to go to residential and a half way house but he says they donnot work but this at home is not working . He has no high school diploma and has been trying to get his ged and never finishes and has had 3 jobs but messes them up . If any family out there has young kids they even suspect get help before it to late . I felt so sad i cried at erins story because if something doesnot happen for my son i could be looking in the mirror .
Grace samayoa <secret5184@aol.com>
Greenwich , Ct. USA - Monday, March 18, 2002 at 09:45:58 (EST)I would like to give you my condolences. My heart goes out to you and your family. I cried when I read about Erin. I also have a son who is 19 and he's been doing heroin for about a year and ahalf now. I just recently put him into a rehab clinic and pray that he will be stronger when he comes out. I know my hope is in the Lord Jesus. I can only trust Him to watch over my son. I hate this heroin!!!! It's destroying so many people, young and old. Why do we do these things? Life can be so much more beautiful without drugs. This world is falling apart because there is no hope anymore. May God bless you and I think of your Erin everyday.. Praise God for the Stand you have taken. I too will let people know the awful dangers of this drug.
KrazedOne <KrazedOne@aol.com>
IL USA - Friday, March 15, 2002 at 19:04:43 (EST)Been on meth for 5 years and still using. Can't seem to stay clean for more than a couple weeks because i like it so much. I know i will die from this someday and I know that will cause a lot of pain to my family. But the pain they will feel probably doesn't compare to the pain of everyday of my life.
tanya <tcurtistanya@hotmail.com>
- Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 18:01:51 (EST)hi my name is dave and iam a druggie, today i only drank 3 bottles of cheese. dave <->
-, - USA - Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 07:52:10 (EST)understand addiction. But I feel like we all keep doing for her and going out of our way to help her and this is what we always get in the end. I would love to talk to anybody else out there who has the same problem as I do. I to am a recovering addict, Just over three years clean. But I still don't know what I can do for her. I just watched that True Life special I'm Wasted on MTV. It's a good informative show that actually really portrays thje daily life a heroin addict. If anybody wants too learn more that would be the show I would reccomend. Good luck to all
Brandon <Goodm295@aol.com>
Population 1800, IL USA - Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 21:50:43 (EST)Once again i find myself on this page. I have commented before on my family's own problem with heroin addiction. My cousin has been in and out of treatment centers, lived in recovery homes. She was almost six months clean when and our relationship as friends was beginning to grow again. See, I was the person who informed her parents of her addiction. Well this weekend she stole my ATM card and withdrew over four hundred dollars from my account. I thought things were going good for her she wa back in college, I was helping her look for a job. I guess I feel betrayed and.. mad. Im tired of her stabbing me in the back, I really truly don't want to turn my back on her but I feel like there is nothing more I can do for her. I DO
Brandon <goodm295@aol.com>
Population 1800, IL USA - Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 21:44:38 (EST)hi im sorry i have a new e-mail my story was about my brother i did mean this i just find out when i got home this thing is new.....but like i said erin will always be in my haret.
jacqui H <jax0086@comcast.net>
newark, de USA - Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at 20:00:45 (EST)thank you for coming to howard high school. see my brother use to do heroin and i really dont know if he still is. i dont want to lose him because i love him to much it makes me cry because i really know how your family feels. but erin will always be in my mind. she and my brother teached me a lesson not to do heroin. i hope you get this and we keep in touch. i cry every time i see you at one of my schools it reall touches my haret.
Jacqui H <jax1986@home.com>
Newark, DE USA - Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at 17:54:51 (EST)My deepest condolences. I am a recovering heroin addict -- 2years & 3 months clean. I know the hell of the addict. I can't imagine yours. I am so sorry. Gia
Gia <gravazzotti@hotmail.com>
South Africa - Sunday, March 10, 2002 at 16:42:23 (EST)Hi this is a student that you talked to at Sebyville Middle School.I am very sorry to hear about your daughter.But the story of your daughter probily changed alot of peoples life LIKE MINE.I will NEVER DO HERION!!!!!!!That is what I said after the assembally.Well thank you for every thing and for changing my life and many other people. Tara <Spice7362@aol.com>
Frankford, DE USA - Thursday, March 07, 2002 at 19:59:01 (EST)I'm very sorry to hear about Erin. My heart goes out to everyone who grieves for her. I was a heroin addict for three years. The worst three years of my life. I'm 23 years old. I've only been clean now for 9 weeks but already it seems that my life is getting better. I'm at college and have got myself a job, but more importantly my family is starting to speak to me again. It was so hard coming of heroin, especially as i'd been dependant on it for so long. My habit just kept getting bigger n bigger n there was nothing i could do about it. I had no choice but to keep feeding it day after day. I've done some awful things to get the 'devils dust', but then i imagine every heroin addict has, havn't they?! I decided to come off the stuff at Christmas. That was when I really hit rock-bottom. It was freezing cold outside n i found myself living in a house with loads of other junkies. Everyone of them was doing something illegal. It was awful, but i got persuaded to go out with them to get money for heroin. How stupid was i? On Christmas Day i went round to my mums house but she wouldn't let me in, in fact when she saw that it was me through the window she didn't even bother coming to the door to see me, she just shooed me away. It broke my heart. But i bet it broke my Mums heart more. It was her who had to watch as her daughter self destructed in front of her very eyes and she was powerless. It was her who i'd gone to when i'd been desperate for money. It wasn't easy getting off heroin. In fact it was the hardest thing i've ever had to do. I just hope to God that i can stay off the stuff. It's so much better without the stuff. I don't want to be a slave to the DEVIL anymore! So if theres anyone reading who's trying to get off heroin, then keep trying and eventually you'll do it. If i can do it then anyone can. And if I believe in you then you should believe in yourself. You deserve a better life.
Catherine Hunter <huntre_catherine@hotmail.com>
Chorley, England - Thursday, March 07, 2002 at 04:59:33 (EST)Yesterday you came to the assembly at selbyville middle school and i was very touched. My uncle used to be a normal all around good guy. Last year he got a divorce and now he lives somewhere on the streets in baltimore. My family and i feel that he is doing heroin and know he is doing crack. We tried to help him once and he promised me that he would never do any heroin again. Im 13 years old and dont want to loose one of my (used to be) influencal uncles. i used to look up to him but now i look at the ground. I hope once he relizes what he has done and finds some help because i love him alot and i dont want to loose him. Thankyou for coming into our school i know i will never do any type of drug, besides the fact my parents would kill me. I making this promise to you erin and myself -- thank you
Leah Ciekot <leaiscool@aol.com>
ocean veiw, de USA - Wednesday, March 06, 2002 at 19:42:52 (EST)I was at an assembly today at S.M.S i am glad you guys came down and visited i think alot of my peers got the message. It was a very strong one but at the same time Sad i wish you guys the best and shall we keep Erin in our minds!
Jason Hudson <gruepolaris@hotmail.com>
millville, del USA - Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 21:24:06 (EST)I was at Selbyville Middle School today, as a student nurse from Del Tech. I really don't consider myself a highly emotional person, but I found myself with tears running down my cheeks today while you were telling Erin's story. I know it must be heart breaking for you to talk about your tragic loss, but I'm sure your message reached so many kids, in a way I hope will keep them from trying the most addictive and lethal drug, heroin.
Heather Shuhart <crowleylpn@aol.com>
Frankford, De USA - Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 18:49:03 (EST)i came upon your website sort of by mistake.. iam searching for ways to know if someone is on herion.. my boss who is also my good friend has a 15 yr old son who is hanging around wiith known users .. useres who used to at one time be my friends .. i have watched this drug ruin all of my friends and take them straight down to hell.. it is there hell and to them they cannot see it .. they do not realize how much it hurst everyone because they are numb from the drugs and cannot see passed there high.. i have tried and tried to reach out to these people that i love but unfortunately they dont care enuf to listen .and i couldnt get through.. one of them has leagly died 7 times!!! how can you die 7 times and not realize you need help.?? but they dont .. they just dont..it makes me so angry to see such beautiful people throw it away for a quick fix... i can say that the only good thats come ouT of any of this is that i saw too well how it could ruin my life and didnt do it .. but now when all the people you grew up with are addicts it really makes you think you are lucky .. i yearn to reach out to these people and scream STOP IT YOU ARE KILLING YOURSELF,, YOU ARE HURTING YOUR FAMILY AND MOST OF ALL YOU ARE RUINING A OH SO PRECIOUS LIFE THAT CANNOT BE RETURNED.. MY ADVICE TO ALL IS DONT SELL YOURSELF TO THE DEVIL FOR A QUICK HIGH.. and now i prey that i can help my boss with her son before it is too late .. my heart goes out to all of erins family friends and especialy erin herself.. it does not mean she was weak herion is sop powerfull that she wasnt sure she needed help.. i lost my boyfriend over the summer .. he wasnt on herion but he was on extasy and he drowned in a lake with all his friends around.. his friends were all too high to realize he wasnt kidding when he said help.. so he died ,,, people need to stop throwing out there lives adn it makes me cry inside every day .. i am only 24yrs old and i have been through hell .. it scares me really iam affraid to have kids because of all of this and i just want erins family to know that when i prey i will prey for her too and when i think of my lost love then she will be there too .. i am truly deeply sorrowed and i wish i could make it all stop for all of the parents and children that this drug is ripping apart.. TO ALL THE PARENTS --- DONT LOOSE HOPE DONT TURN YOUR BACK -- AND TO ALL OF THOSE WHO MIGHT READ THIS THAT ARE HOOKED .. REALIZE LIFE IS MORE THEN A HIGH LIFE IS THE ULTIMATE HIGH AND DONT LET DRUGS HOLD YOU HOSTAGE .. LOVE YOURSELF CAUSE YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE.. and you cant go back ..
mo <melo2g@hotmail.com>
brewster, ny USA - Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 15:08:26 (EST)Hello.
I lost someone close to me recently and I know how you feel. It was over the same exact issue too. I hope things get better and you all find a way to get passed this and live happy lives, I am sure that Erin would want you all to be happy as well.. God Bless you all!
krista bird <birdkrista@netscape.net>
chambersburg, pa USA - Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 09:38:37 (EST)i would just like to offer my condolences to you. i am deeply sorry for your terrible loss. I am 15 years old and have recently kicked it, after being a prisoner of heroin since i was barely 13. i have finally realised how lucky i am to have been able to kick it before it proved fatal. once again, i am very sorry and i hope you can find some comfort in the fact your daughter is now at ease. take care, god bless, goodbye
nancy <ifeellikethecolorblue@hotmail.com>
clacton, united kingdom - Monday, March 04, 2002 at 18:09:27 (EST)Hallo
I am truly sorry about your loss. i don't use drugs but I have three young daughters 14, 12 and 10. I worry about the pressure today's kids have to face and I wonder if my kids would be able to stand up against anything. When I read about what happened to your daughter it made me realise how incredibly easy it is to get hooked. It made me realise how dificult it is for our kids and how we as parents cannot fold them in cottonwool, although I wish I could. My heart goes out to you as parents. I have lost a son. My little boy had a heart attack but by no means could that be compared to your heartache. I do know that it is extremely difficult for a parent to bury a child and in sharing that my heart goes out to you. Please always remember that you and your family are in a lot of peoples praires. I know that you will never forget but you will always have your good memories to hold on to and I believe that Erin is in God's hands where she is free from what this drugs was doing to her. Please believe me when I say that I am truly sorry for your loss.
Charmaine <naasdb@iafrica.com>
Durban, KZN South Africa - Monday, March 04, 2002 at 15:38:07 (EST)My brother-in-law who I love dearly is addicted to heroin. Nik is only 22. Last night we had some family over and Nik came by too. My husband suspected something was going on with him - but I didn't think so. As I was cooking,my husband tending to the other guests, Nik was in the room with my 17 month old son reading/playing with books. When I walked in Nik looked really tired --so I said "Nick do you want to take a nap?" He said "Yes." I took my son, shut the light and closed the door. I don't remember how long he was sleeping (hour and a half to two hours). I went back in the room and found him completely purple. I screamed for my husband and dialed '911. We gave him CPR which helped revive him until the paramedics came and took him to the hospitl. He just completed rehab - finished counseling - got a good job - and now after being clean for 3 months, our family faces his death again. In two years he has overdosed 4 times. Now, my husband does not want him in the house for the fear of me and my small child. I'm afraid Nik's destiny is death. I tried talking to him about God, but it hurts me to say that I don't think he believes in God. This morning we talked and he said he was truely sorry. I believe him. I know this will probably happen again because not once did Nik say "I have a problem" or "I need help." Now, I can't help but feel "how am I suppose to help?"
ves <ves270@hotmail.com>
Chicago, IL USA - Monday, March 04, 2002 at 13:49:18 (EST)i recently just lost my uncle to a heroin addiction. he was on heroin for less than an year. we tried to put him rehab, and he promised that he was done. but he went back and we all suffered because of it. Josh was just 25 years old when he died he left behind over 15 neices and nephews. i am 17 so i will remember josh always but my little brother who is just now one will only remember him in the pictures we have.
i feel your pain and i know your grief but you have to hold in there. things will get better
Brandy
brandyt rogers <brwneyedgirl9537@aol.com>
USA - Sunday, March 03, 2002 at 11:05:14 (EST)reading this has made me realise how selfish i was i was an addict for 3 years and was always in and out of re habs then last year something just seemed to click and i just managed to stop, i have been clean for almost a year now and reading this bought tears to my eyes as i realised how easily that could of been me, also it made me realise how much my family must of been hurting which i never thought of at the time. i have now started college and plan to go to uni and do some travelling, and hope that i always remember how bad things actually were as sometimes i forget and this scares me i just now now that i have to do this for me and am sorry it was too late for Erin
kath
USA - Friday, March 01, 2002 at 17:44:28 (EST)Mrs. Allen- Thank you. You recently traveled to my high school and told us your story. I could never imagine heroin entering my life, but now I see how real it really is. Although I've never lost a loved one to this unimaginable hell, I can honestly say that your story has changed my life. I now also realize that heroin is slowly but surely creeping up everywhere. Hearing Erin's story made me understand that you really don't know what tomorrow will bring, it's always unmarked...just like her journal says. It really does mean a lot to teenagers, for you to be strong enough to travel to our schools and share Erin's story. Once again, thank you so much.
Ashley <softballnut6@hotmail.com>
PAA USA - Friday, March 01, 2002 at 17:19:09 (EST)i am 20 years.also a heroin and crack addict.It's my last night at home.going to rehab tommorow.Sorry about your daughter,i've also lost a friend.I hope it is going to work this time!!!Seems like the heroin problem is all over the world,here in South-Africa just as bad.
christoph
pretoria, south africa - Friday, March 01, 2002 at 16:42:19 (EST)I was really touched by your story yesterday when you came to my school (Pleasant Valley High School). Your story brought tears to my eyes. I am 16 and listening to your story set me straight for as long as I live. I will never try heroin. I just wanted to say thank you for making an impact in my life and my prayers are with you!! Thank you.
Miechele Keller <polish_punker@hotmail.com>
Saylorsburg , PA USA - Thursday, February 28, 2002 at 16:14:03 (EST)I am so sorry for your loss. I am living in the nightmare of heroin addiction with my 23 year old son. He is alos bi-polar and a cutter. It is the devil that took him over. I live every day waiting for the phone call which you recieved. I cried when I read your story. I love him sooooo much and I have tried everything to help him but to no avail. The heroin has such a hold. I am so sorry for your loss. The only condolence is as much as you miss her (and always will) at least she has stopped suffering. I told my son one day as long as he is breathing we have hope. And I will never give up on him. But in the end it's not up to us. I hope you are ok and feel free to e-mail me if you need to talk to someone that understands the hell you have lived through.
Another mother in crisis.
Jayne
Jayne <jmcn181891@aol.com>
Philadelphia, Pa USA - Thursday, February 28, 2002 at 12:47:14 (EST)Dear Mrs.Allen,
I saw the story about your daughter Erin and it caught my eye because my name is Erin too. I read your touching story about your daughter, and it made me cry. I can only tell you how sorry I am that you had to lose your daughter in such a tragic way. I just wanted to tell you that my prayers are with you. I just had a daughter of my own six months ago. I can't imagine anything ever happening to her, and I can only pray that she never gets involved in anything like what happened to your daughter, but as you know, life doesn't always turn out the way you want it to. Again, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Erin.
Sincerely,
Erin Schmidt
Erin Schmidt <erinandtom@yahoo.com>
Calgary, Canada - Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 23:47:00 (EST)Iam soo sorry for your lose. Thats so sad and If i were you i wouldnt know what to do. I dont have any kids but im only 14 years old.I've never tried it but Im scared of big drugs and things like that.I knew people who died cause of over doses and it was so sad. im so sorry i feel every bit of your pain, but you shouldnt blame yourself.
you helped all you could, its not your falt, she did it to her self. i would have died if my daughter got caught up in drugs. its stupid. well if you could e mail me back that would be good.My prayers and thoughts go out to you...May her tragic and short life not be in vain and bring courage to those who are still fighting their own demons....
Alyssa <PiggyMonkerfrog1@aol.com>
Brick, NJ USA - Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 22:22:55 (EST)I am writing this to tell you how truly sorry I am for your loss. I know that words could never take away the pain but you are keeping people informed about the dangers of this evil drug and for that I thank you. One of my best friends is heavily into drugs and he has recently started using heroin. I am very scared for his future what little of one he has, right now he has pretty much ruined all the relationships that have ever meant anything to him and it breaks my heart. Once again I am so sorry that you and your family had to live through the dread of seeing someone you love do that to themselves and I hope by spreading the word to others you will feel some ease from the pain. People need to realize that heroin is a real problem in this society and we have to deal with it! God bless you and your family.
Lisa <leedaisy22@aol.com>
Slippery Rock, PA USA - Monday, February 25, 2002 at 23:22:33 (EST)Dear Mrs. Allen:
This website is so moving about your daughter, Erin. I too have a 20 year old daughter who has been battling heroin addiction for 3 years. IN and Out of rehabs, residential treatments in local facilities...and to no success, so in a final desperate move, I just placed her in a longterm residential facility in hopes that she will be able to beat this insidious Devil...Heroin...No one likes to talk about the way that heroin has made its way into middle America...its still almost impossible for me to admit it to anyone in my family or neighborhood...
It is courageous that you speak your message to the teenagers of America...God Bless you and Say a Prayer for my daughter, Steffi, may she beat the devil this time...
Elaine <eklale@aol.com>
Hollywood, FL USA - Sunday, February 24, 2002 at 15:41:54 (EST)Ms. Allen, you came to my middle school about 2 1/2 years ago, and the pictures from your presentation and your story has stayed with me to this day. Whenever I think about it, it brings tears to my eyes, I thought though this drug would never have anything to do with me. This September I went into high school expecting everything to be the same as before. But I am loosing more people to this drug and many other drugs like it. I think about your story every day I enter those big high school doors, and I pray I won't make the same mistake as many others had made. Thank you for making me a stronger person, you have inspired me to also help others who I know have a problem such as your daughter had. Thank you and I pray for you, Love Justine
Justine <justbaby87@aol.com>
Boothwyn, PA USA - Sunday, February 24, 2002 at 12:09:24 (EST)I am very sorry for the loss of erin, I too have lost a loved one. My 19 year old brother died this past september of heroin overdose. I'm 13, and i have already xperiencd as much pain as u. I've learned not to take a single thing for granted. I wish u the best.
Kayla
Kayla <AngelEyes1562@aol.com>
Bethlehem, PA USA - Thursday, February 21, 2002 at 19:38:23 (EST)What's this drug life all about look at all the e-mails from addicts it gets us no where lets all keep fighting and break the cycle. My dad told me about this web site. My name is Ashley I am a 21 year old heroin addict. I am clean today and I have to say it is the best feeling in the world, but I have been clean before and end up going back. i don't know what makes me turn back to that lifestyle that I hate so much. I have been fighting this diease for almost three years. Three years of my life wasted on sticking a needle in my arm and it only gets me one place back in the hospital for detox and then back in rehab. As I was reading Erin's story my eyes filled with tears, I don't want the end results: death ot prision, but to be honest I don't know what to do different this time. I have the worlds greatest parents there love is the only thing that has kept me alive this long but I have to STOP putting my family through this. I have a 16 year old brother who used to be so proud of his sister who had everything together and was going to set the world on fire until the drug from hell entered my life. I am very sorry about your lose I have lost friends to this drug and I know that all the people who love me have been watching the drug slowly kill me. In Erin's journal she said that before she knew it she had sold her soul to the devil...that really hit home. I am a born again christian but for the past three years the devil has had my soul. I said I have to try something different to STAY CLEAN and Erin my not have had the chance to let God get her soul back but I do and I thank you for sharing Erin's story with me. It is terrible what happened but it was just what I needed not to end up dead and to stop putting my family through this. So thank you! Your courage and love my not have saved Erin but because you shared, it will save me. I am going to give my life back to God He is the ONLY thing that can save me...He is the only thing more powerful than this heroin lifestyle that comes only from the devil! Mom and Dad and Justin if you are reading this stop planning my death and start helping me plan my life because I am going to use my life to help others someday and even though God promises us a lot he never promises us another breath I don't know how or when I will die but it will have nothing to do with Heroin or it's lifestlye, that is a promise. I am going to keep fighting because this drug is not going to get me. It's a great day to be alive and clean! I love you Mom and Dad and Justin...we are going to make it I know I have said that many times over and over but just watch me set the world on fire! Again I am sorry about Erin, you are in my prayers and please keep me in yours as I fight this drug everyday but I will fight it and no matter what it takes I am clean today and have been for 16 days it is time to move forward and not turn back...I will break the cycle this time! Thank you. Lastly, to all heroin addicts out there we are the the ones with the best chance of sending this drug back where it came from...HELL so keep fighting and let go and let GOD! Thanks!
Ashley M. Napier <ashiee@sprintpcs.com>
St. Louis, MO USA - Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at 17:00:57 (EST)My dearest condolences, it might not mean anything from someone over the otherside of the world whom to you is a stranger, but my deepest sympathy. It must have been terribly hard coping with everything but dispit how hard it has been for you, you have written this peice, for this i congratulate you, you are a very strong and brave woman. And no doubt by the sounds of it you were great parents. Sorry I cant respond with something great but i am not very good at english. Irronically i had to research heroin for english, i am currently studiny doing year 12,VCE, thank you very much for your site it has helped me very much. Condolences if u could please respond just to let me know you recieved this it would be good. Deepest sympathy
daniel <gavaWPO@hotmail.com>
melbourne, Victoria Australia - Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at 05:42:07 (EST)I can't imagine your grief. I suffer from chronic pain and am prescribed a drug called Dilaudid, which is pretty much pharmaceutical grade heroin in pill form. I am physically dependent due to an extremely high prescribed dose. I handle it well, though...it's my wife who has the problem. I gave her one when Tylenol wouldn't help a sprained ankle and it was a downward spiral ever since. She began stealing my pills and got severely addicted. I started running out early and suffered from the same kind of withdrawal symptoms as your poor daughter. I saved my wife's life once when she overdosed on my medication. The only reason she is alive is because I used to be a trauma paramedic and knew some advanced techniques for overdose revival. I had treated literally hundreds of OD victims but never my wife. I luckily had my med kit with me and injected her with Narcan, a drug that can reverse a heroin overdose. I read Erin's story and wished that I could have helped her somehow, done something, done the same thing. It's what I'm trained for. Eventually, my pain management physician became suspicious of early refill requests until my wife finally came clean to him about stealing my meds. She is currently in her 4th attempt at rehab, she just graduated for the first time and is now in a halfway house. I have had a pump installed inside my abdomen that eliminates the need for pills so that she would have to cut me open to get anything. I am also a musician and heroin use runs rampant in that scene. I lost one guitarist to an overdose. I just know that Erin is away from her physical and psychic pain, and is smiling down on you, waiting for a glorious reunion. God bless you and your courage and feel free to email me. You have my deepest sympathy and love
Mike
Mike <missingingredient@hotmail.com>
Austin, TX USA - Saturday, February 16, 2002 at 08:49:47 (EST)ABOUT TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AGO YOU CAME INTO MOUNTAIN MANOR WHICH IS ONE OF THE REHAB FACILITIES I WAS STAYING AT. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE OF ERIN I WILL NEVER PUT MYSELF BACK INTO THAT SITUATION AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN CLEAN FOR 15 DAYS. THANK YOU FOR MAKEING ME SEE THE LIGHT.
CHRISTIN MCFALLS <XxHOTGIRLxX17>
BEL AIR, MD USA - Friday, February 15, 2002 at 14:02:33 (EST)My heart aches for you in the loss of your daughter. My life too, has also been a heroin hell for the past 18 years. Eighteen years ago my oldest brother died of a heroin overdose as a result of getting addicted while serving in the Vietnam war. Two weeks ago my younger brother became a victim of heroin addiction. He fought the disease for the last five years or maybe even more...but again Heroin won. He left behind a wife and two young daughters...also a loving Mom, Dad, two sisters and two brothers. If love could have saved him he never would have died. God knows we all tried to help him...he is in a better place now and finally at peace with himself. My story doesn't end there. My youngest brother fought the same addiction for many years also...got clean for a year and then was diagnosed with Leukemia a year ago. He has been fighting Leukemia and we thought he was winning but a month ago it came back. I am a match for him for a bone marrow transplant and will be flying to Massachusetts in a few weeks to hopefully help save his life.
My advice to anyone who has a heroin addict in their family is to just stay in their face. Don't ever let them think they are fooling you when they say they are not doing it anymore, because there is no way to stop doing heroin unless you get put away for a long time so that you do not have access to it. My youngest brother that is fighting Leukemia went into a halfway house for a year and was drug tested everyday...he had a sponsor and a family the supported him. I just hope the love and support of his family and friends can help him with the war he is fighting now.
Heroin is the most depressing word I know. It makes my heart ache and puts my stomach in a knot. I have been living it for half of my life and I, like others are at a loss on what can be done about it.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your beautiful daughter....Marie
Marie <MSnow10168@aol.com>
Guyton, GA USA - Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 22:54:47 (EST)I am so sorry for your loss. My brother was taken away from me on June 16 1998.Hegot into Herion A little differently than most people do. He was in A major car accident in June of 1996 and they got him hooked on pain pills then they stopped giving them to him as the thought he was starting to abuse them and he was. That's when Herion reare it's ugly head. He was hitting the drug pretty bad andhehad themoney from his law suit settlement to do it.To make A long story short he died waiting for my parents to pick him up and my 12 year old nephew found him. And now we all suffer from the loss A little less each day but you can never forget what did it to them so my family talks at schools all over Idaho and Utah.I hope you and your family can find A way to heal and I hope this site is your piece of mind. Jus letting other people know what your daughter went through may make someone think what can I do to help in my own neighborhood to help put an end to all those lonely hurting Mothers,Fathers and Wifes and Children,And all other family members. With Gods help and A little help from us and our Police Departments Maybe we won't have to go to all those Mourges.ood luck with your fight as I will keep up mine!!!!!!
Mark Allen Thorne <Thronmat@cs.com>
Pocatello, Id USA - Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 03:18:23 (EST)HELLO,
YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. I HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR 7 YEARS IN BALTIMORE CITY. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, BALTIMORE IS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY WITH A HEROIN PROBLEM. THERE ARE APPORX. 60,000 HEROIN IN BALTIMORE CITY. WITH A 250.00 TO 400.00 A DAY HABIT, YOU FIGURE EACH PERSON HAS TO GET THAT MONEY SOMEHOW. I'VE SEEN SO MUCH AND SO MANY YOUNG GIRLS LIKE YOUR DAUGHTER. I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO CONTINUE TO DO MY JOB EACH DAY EVEN THOUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM SEEMS TO SLAP EACH OFFENDER ON THE HAND. I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THER RIGHTS OF CITIZENS AND INNOCENT PEOPLE SUCH AS YOURSELF SO THAT SOMEONRE ELSE'S DAUGHTER WILL BE SAVED.
THANK YOU
ESPY
baltimore city police officer <espyaward@yahoo.com>
BALTIMORE, MD USA - Monday, February 11, 2002 at 00:58:27 (EST)quitting drugs is not easy. life isnt easy. death is a side effect of the disease of addiction. treating a disease that your mind tells you that you don't have is tricky. there are no shortcuts to recovery from addiction. if you take a short cut with self dishonesty, lack of effort to recover, death will probably happen. addicts confuse failed attempts at treatment as an attack on their self-worth. yet it could be a chance (if the addict makes it back to treatment) to reflect on where they went wrong in addressing their disease. was i dishonest with my peers or counselor when they asked me if i had been thinking about using, had i repeated behaviors clean that i did when i was using. ie prostitution; stealing, manipulating a person in authority, lying to a loved one about my feelings or thoughts. addicts new to recovery might access a local mental health clinic. it is quite possible that they are suffereing with a depression that could be situational or even that of the long term variety. it is important for addicts new to recovery that they are responsible to be up front with themselves and others about their behavior. newy recovered people often behave as an active addict. recovery is being honest and changing those behaviors. YET IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THE NEWLY RECOVERING PERSON UNDERSTANDS ONE VERY IMPORTANT FACT.......YOU ARE NOT ALONE.......IF YOU NEED AND WANT HELP TO STAY IN RECOVERY YOU MUST SEEK HELP OUT. REAL LIFE IS NOT LIKE USING DRUGS....LIFE IS DIFFICULT....what am i saying , you already know life is hard
john <johnnyboats1@aol.com>
ri USA - Saturday, February 09, 2002 at 21:25:26 (EST)I am very sorry about your daughter. We love you. SKT <skthomas@ohiohills.com>
Logan, Oh USA - Saturday, February 09, 2002 at 20:45:56 (EST)As I read about the tragic lose of your daughter I felt I was reading about myself. I lost my son to a heroin overdose may 20,200o he was 20 years old. I watched and suffered as he suffered trapped in a 5 year addiction. He was in and out of rehabs quit school and also loved Pink Floyd. He once told a close friend if he died he also wanted the song Wish You Were Here played at his funeral. It's like there is a common bond between them and other addicts only they understand and their families. The words wish you were here are engraved on his monument at the cemetary because I wish he was here. My son was a beautiful person and more needs to be done to fight this war of addiction.
Annette <amrn39@aol.com>
Larksville, Pa USA - Saturday, February 09, 2002 at 14:55:47 (EST)Hi, I'm a mother who nlows the pain of losing a son to heroin. I lost my son on May 20, 2000 a month after his 20th Birthday. Our family was devastated. Chad was a handsome brite inteligent young man who went down the wrong path. He had a great personalith, smile and a kind heart. I will carry his memory with me for the rest of my life. Heroin and drugs of any kind destroy lives and families. Drugs are everywhere and they can take anyone. I watched my son suffer for 5 long years until it took his life. Thank you for sharing. A greiving Mother
Annette Williams <AMRN@AOL.COM>
Larksville , PA USA - Saturday, February 09, 2002 at 14:38:12 (EST)ms. allen. you just spoke at our police academy this past week. the tragedy that you suffered from this horrorible drug makes you realize just how short life can be. that night i made sure to give everyone in my family a big hug and kiss. thank you.
scott pluta <perotzk@aol.com>
franklin, nj USA - Saturday, February 09, 2002 at 12:13:18 (EST)I am so sorry for your tragic loss. I wanted to thank you for sharing Erin's story. Reading it and the pages from her journal were like reading my own journal. I was twenty years old when I stopped using heroin and that was over seven years ago. It's easy to forget the despair that I felt while I was using - how scary it was to not be able to stop. Due to the insidious nature of the disease of addiction, there are times when I entertain the idea of using again. I'm not sure what I was looking for when I typed in "heroin" into my browser but I certainly didn't expect to find my own story in someone else's words. I'm grateful that I am not using....and humbled by the daily repreive I have. Reading Erin's story and seeing so much of myself in her made me realize that this disease is serious and fatal. It's too easy to forget sometimes. I wrote in my journal, "there's no difference between her and me....except this little tiny choice to not pick up...yet it's the difference of life and death." Thanks to Erin and her own words, I can make that choice today.
Jennifer <jenniferkemp6194@msn.com>
Seattle, WA USA - Thursday, February 07, 2002 at 00:57:05 (EST)you have my condolence,s for your lose. i recently lost many friend s to this herion, but came on because i am losing my 23 year old son and his girlfriend to this. i just found there stamp bag in trash and keep trying to find out what i did wrong and how to correct it, but it is a endless battle.why,why,why can't we get to them before it is to late????? i dream of him in his coffin, see him there and don't know what to do
susan <sjmngkids@aol.com>
houston , pa USA - Tuesday, February 05, 2002 at 00:16:00 (EST)hi! well i just read your story. i found it as i was looking up heroin for my senior paper. the story brought tears to my eyes. i never realized the effects of heroin. i dont do any drugs and to see what they can do to you makes you think. my old best friends father died of a drug overdose and when she would do drugs i would think of her dad and if she wanted to be like him. i wish kids in my school knew the effects of drugs because its all they do... no one really knows yet they always do them.. this story is very inspiring and touched me. ms allen if you wouldnt mind letting me use parts of your story in my paper i would love that. good luck and you are very inspiring!! ~Elaina
elaina <cozygurl59@email.com>
ma USA - Sunday, February 03, 2002 at 19:58:18 (EST)Hi
Thank you for sharing such a hard story to deal with, to all of us. I am using her story to teach to my high school students. I hope it will impact my students enough to make the right choices when they are faced with the situation. Again, thank you.
Kim <ktoomey@blackstonevalleytech.ma.k12.us>
upton, ma USA - Friday, February 01, 2002 at 13:45:38 (EST)I used to crawl around Philly in a crazed stupor, commiting crimes and being a general SOB to support my habits (Crack/Heroin by day and pills and/or alcohol for sleeping when the binge was over). I went to 2 rehabs, neither "stuck". I worked it out myself, and now, 5 years later, I just graduated with a degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. YOU can turn YOUR life around also. NOBODY can do this for you. GOD will ASSIST you if you TRY, but GOD will NOT do it FOR you. If you must, do as I did, MOVE AWAY. I moved to Nevada for 3 years while I finished college and got my head straight. I just MOVED back. And guess what? I will NEVER find myself in those neighborhoods again! Why? I have a life now, you can too, figure out what works for you and DO IT, Drastic problems take drastic answers! If it seems like an impossibility, that is probobly the ANSWER. Do it and save yourself, If I can, so can you, don't give up.
DJH <djdozier69@hotmail.com>
Philadelphia, PA USA - Thursday, January 31, 2002 at 12:17:37 (EST)I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your beautiful daughter. It is such a waste. But I beleive a lot of people will learn from Erics story and learn what heroin can do.
Anyway I just wanted to ask if anyone would like to help me with a novel I am currently writing about heroin...if you do just email me Kiss_of_death77@yahoo.com
If you have had personal experience with heroin then your help would be appriciated.
Lots of Love,
Galaxy
Galaxy <Kiss_of_Death77@yahoo.com>
Melbourne, Vic Australia - Thursday, January 31, 2002 at 04:32:49 (EST)I have gone through the herion problem, and I know that it is really hard to do. Now I have about 30 days clean and very day it is a battle, but I know that I can do it. To read what Erin wrote broke my heart because of all the pain that she felt. I know that my mother goes through the thought of me not being able to do it. I know that her pain is great, so I want to live my life right. I want to say that I am sorry for your pain, and I know that god will bless you. I know that this will help me see the true light of this drug and everything that it does to a person who is kind and loving to the world. I want to thank you for sharing this story.
jt <jtd122>
baltimore, md USA - Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at 13:08:54 (EST)I am so sorry to hear about Erin. It really hurts seeing that I have 2 aunts that are both addicted to Heroin and Crack very badly. One is is her late 30's and has Hep C and Hiv. She has 3 children and is slowly killing herself. The other one is in jail at this current time also with 3 children and is not as bad as my 1st aunt but nearly there. So to hear Erin's story really gives me chills and is so upsetting and I am so very sorry that she had to end her life this way..!!!
Jamie <jl2@adelphia.net>
Finksburg, Md USA - Tuesday, January 29, 2002 at 21:01:08 (EST)Many condolences to you. I understand the feeling of caring and loving someone sooo much, u would do anything to make them stay away from those awful drugs. My son's father was an addict also. He died on his Birthday, January 27th. I loved him very much. I fought so hard to try and keep him off it. I know he tried very hard too, but it is an uncurable disease some people can't get rid of. It is all soo very sad because most of these addict are smart, caring, loving people with awesome personalities. I wish that we can keep them around and have them live a healthy and happy life, however all we can do is wish that they may Rest in peace...and just pray to God that he may take care of them..they may not suffer anymore. They are all loved and they all make mistakes, I forgive my Alex for anything he has ever done and i love him with all my heart.
Eileen <Eileen197411228@yahoo.com>
Brooklyn, NY USA - Tuesday, January 29, 2002 at 18:47:26 (EST)I am a heroin addict and have been clean for a year. Its stories like this that help me to stay clean. My parents nearly lost me too, and I pray everyday for one more day clean!
Angela Marr <angela.marr@freemail.absa.co.za>
Cape Town, SA - Monday, January 28, 2002 at 09:20:41 (EST)i am really sorry you lost somebody so close and so special to you. i cried when i came upon this page. how sad.
sandra <geekslove@aol.com>
san francisco, ca USA - Sunday, January 27, 2002 at 21:18:36 (EST)Sometime's we cant understand tell we open are minds in see how were hurting ourselves or ones we love! giving up on them is to easy!
deedee <Shygrl0904 @.com>
yuba city, ca USA - Saturday, January 26, 2002 at 04:54:35 (EST)Creating this website is a great memorial to your daughter. Her creative, intelligent personality reminds me of my own daughter who has struggled with heroin off and on for about a year and a half. Every time she gets on, it seems harder to get off. This time she had clean for about 90 days. I was very proud of her. To celebrate we took a weekend trip to a local themepark. We got home Sunday afternoon and she went to a movie Sunday night. She seemed fine when she returned home. Monday morning (Jan 21) we spoke briefly as we got our day going. Maybe 10 minutes after telling her I had bought doughnuts for breakfast, I found her collasped on her bathroom floor. She was gray, unresponsive and not breathing. I went hysterical but was able to call 911. The lady on the phone assisted me with mouth to mouth. The paramedics arrive shortly and were able to revive her. She had used a tiny amount of heroin for the first time in 3 months. Fortunately, she is fine and swearing sobriety. I, on the other hand, am scarred for life. God bless you as you continue to spread the word about this demonic drug.
Pam <teachette@aol.com>
fl USA - Thursday, January 24, 2002 at 22:15:46 (EST)Thank You so much for sharing your story and remembering your daughter, I have been battling with my heroin addiction for 8 years now. I too started this impossible journey in Philly on Kensington back in 1995 and today i have only 10 days clean after several rehabs and attempts to put this thing to rest. Reading your beautiful daughters journal entry was almost uncanny- I swear i've written the same things in mine-but today your daughter is an angel reminding me that no matter how hopeless this struggle feels i don't want my mother to have to feel the pain of losing her daughter to the streets. Today you are in my thoughts and prayers and to any experimenting kids out there PLEASE do not try heroin-trust me you cannot imagine the hell you would be putting yourself in for- for LIFE!
heather <sealgmp@aol.com>
columbus, oh USA - Thursday, January 24, 2002 at 12:50:16 (EST)Dear Ms. Allen,
Thank you for sharing your tragedy. My heart goes out to you, your family, and everyone close to your late daughter that survived her. I have been in and out of treatment centers, etc. for 4 years now, and next month I will celebrate 1 year clean. I feel close to your daughter, though I never knew her, because I have known her pain and misery. There is no earthly reason why I have YET to share the same fate, and for that we are also connected. I am beyond grateful that my family has not had to mourn my death, it is with that gratitude that I constantly keep in my prayers the addicts who are still suffering and who will die of this disease.
Thank you, and God bless us all.
Emory S. <MsBhavinEmory@AOL.com>
Santa Barbara, CA - Tuesday, January 22, 2002 at 03:55:27 (EST)Mrs. Allen, I know where you are coming from and i know where you have been. My daughter died three weeks ago from an overdose of heroin. She leaves a four year old son and a family that will love her until we all die. I am still grieving and searching for some understanding, at least I know she is at peace and free from all her pain. God bless you. Vicki
Vicki <K4vhs@msn.com>
USA - Sunday, January 20, 2002 at 22:21:18 (EST)Dear Mrs. Allen,
Recently, you came to my school and spoke about your daughter's experiences. Your story brought me to tears, but that's not the point. I want to thank you. Thank you for being strong. Thank you for coming to the young people of the world and warning them of what can happen to them when bad decisions are made. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I know that your story will stay with me forever. I'm very sorry about Erin but never forget that she is watching you. I know how much for love her and I know its hard to lose someone that you love so much. Thank you for using your tragedy to help so many others. If one person makes a difference to you, you've made a difference. Thank you
Anonymous <PAML123@hotmail.com>
PA USA - Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 22:40:39 (EST)amen julie!~
yeah that was cool how u came in and tked about that to us without breaking down. also, you are very strong to do this for us and i respect u for doing this, thank you very much.
*Laura
UMS*
*Laura <waurwuzgrl88@home.com>
philly, PA USA - Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 15:45:19 (EST)today when you made a visit to our school i though that you story got righ tp the point. i know that 3 of my friends were crying their eyes out. I coiuldnt even look you in the eye with out crying. i am teribly sorry about your loss of your daughter. thank you very much for talking to us! you really changed the lives if some of the peoples out look on heroin. thanks again.
julie <mysticview5@juno.com>
Philadelphia, PA USA - Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 15:20:56 (EST)Mrs. Allen,
Your presentation was very touching that I think you have just gave people a new look on how life really is. Your daughter Erin was a beautiful young lady who looked as if she had a lot of potential in life. Its ashame that she had to leave this world the way she did. I'm pretty sure she would have wanted to live a happy life and always want you in her heart.
We appreciate your help on showing us the perspective on life and not to waste it on a drug like herion. Thank You, Jen, Jamie and Danielle
Jamie Meaduw <Student@aol.com>
PA USA - Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 14:30:16 (EST)Dear Mrs. ALlen,
You have no idea how much you have touched me and my fellow students. Having you come in and talk to us about Erin it really will stick in my mind. I have never tryed drugs before, but my frined was on drugs and her mom had no idea. They caught it early enough. I just wanted to thank you for your ever so profound presentation. I am soo sorry for what happen with your gorgeous daughter. You have no idea how much that has helped me, you probaly have saved more then 2,000 lives. When you said that everybody has a goal in life, and that god gave everybody something to live for and that yours is to travel all over the world and share your story, I truly believe that you are correct. Everybody was put on this earth for something to live for, and god put you on this earth to save children and adults from messing up their own lives. Thank you so much you really have no idea how much you have touched me. Thank you very much Mrs.Allen, and thank you for your story of Erin.
Love,
Sunni
Sunni Taylor <abc@earthlink.com>
Miami, FL USA - Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 14:20:59 (EST)im sorry that you have lost your daughter. i read many storys like yours everyday and i know your pain. her story is much like my mothers(with the same outcome). i am also addicted to heroin and i hope to some day rid myself on these demons. with every story i read of a lost soul i grow weaker yet stronger. drugs are
