When I was on drugs, I hated cops. You were my enemies, the people I stayed clear of while barely able to drive. You were barriers between the reward of the drug house and the safety of my own. In my eyes, you were villains, caring only about yourselves.

When I inevitably overdosed, you were there, doing your job. Fighting to save my life for hours. You did not judge me, nor arrest me, just ask me what I wanted my family to know should they not make it in time. You watched me get clean. You watched me grow. The same officer who pumped narcan into my blood watched me go back to school. Watched me get a job. Watched me live a life.

In my eyes now, you are people. You are human beings who sometimes endure the unthinkable for a people who consider you inhuman. But for us-the people who lives you personally touch and save-we will never forget you.

I'm now five years clean.

Thank you.