In the first programme of the series, presenter Neil Nunes talks to drug users and ex-users about what it’s like being addicted, and how some of them have managed to kick the habit.
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Facts about cocaine
• Cocaine can be highly addictive
• 20% of people who use cocaine on the larger Caribbean islands get hooked
• In Jamaica and Trinidad, 2% of the population use cocaine
Source: DrugScope / CARICOM |
Keith Russell smoked ganja for many years, but when he couldn’t get his usual weed, he explains that he wanted something stronger and bought some crack cocaine. When he was addicted to crack cocaine, his weight went from 190lbs to 144lbs, and he didn’t care about anything except crack, not even food. The turning point came for him on the day he saw on TV his dealer’s house in New York being raided by the police. He suddenly realised that if he’d been arrested in that raid his mother would have died! He tells the story of how on that eventful day he got down on his knees and prayed to God, and so began his road to recovery from addiction.
Brian from Dominica is in prison for the 7th time on robbery and assault charges, stemming from his addiction to crack cocaine. Each time he leaves prison he stops for a few months, but then he describes how the loneliness of having lost his girlfriend, children, family and friends beats him. When he’s in prison he sometimes feels like killing himself – he just feels empty.
Radio star
James Simon (AKA Sly J) had a 14-year battle with drugs, and particularly with crack cocaine. He started by being the “party person”, but ended up stealing from his mother and hiding from his children. With support from the staff at his radio station and helped by his own religious beliefs, he gave up, but describes his feelings on reading the obituary of an old friend who didn’t manage to give up in time.
Related Links
BBC Health - Addictions Guide
BBC One Life Health - Drugs and Alcohol
