



From the trap house to the White House

Dear Readers:I haven't been writing much lately. I sincerely apologize for that. I have a few stories in the queue. Don't worry.I was just doing advocacy in Washington DC and in Boston. First of all, I need to sincerely thank the people who donate time and resources to help me with my work. I spoke to: a federal judge, a head of a correctional agency, at a DC correctional facility for women, to medical practitioners, and to a group of around 200 students. It was tiring. My legs are still swollen but my heart is full. I spoke with democrats, republicans, young people, older people, professionals, the homeless, anyone who would listen. The good news- we are more alike than we are different. The "opioid crisis" may be the thing that unifies all of us. We all want to find ways to stop the dying and get on with the business of living.Second of all- I am extremely disturbed to hear the three pronged triumvirate of bullshit policies coming from our government. We are planning on diverting money that could be used for naloxone- something we KNOW saves lives- to law enforcement. Can I say- fuck that. I am a convicted felon. My original charge was sales/transport of a controlled substance. What these laws mean are people with the economic means to hire private attorneys will receive rehab or other alternative sentencing. Those who cannot will be locked up, disenfranchised, and possibly face the death penalty. The Trump plan throws common sense drug policy solutions out the window in favor of approaches we KNOW do not work and do NOTHING to save lives.Third of all, I am looking into ways to fund a project to get out and speak more. I feel like we need hope, we need real advocacy. I feel like that effort should be national instead of a few key cities. When I go to these places, I see people crying in the audience because they are so desperate for some kind of information and some kind of good news. I try to provide at least a bit of that.I hope to get more writing out soon after I rest up.I love you.