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What is your reaction to this story of Ben's life and death?

julie reid
I found the documentary moving and compelling i would like mu teenage sons to see this movie.I will never forget some scenes thank you to his family I think they could use this in schools for drug education. I feel it has so much value thank you again to his family especially his mum it is very brave and also very beautiful

Alea
I was compelled to watch this film as heroin addiction was very much a part of our life as a family.. until just recently. I so felt for Ben's family especially Ben's gentle loving father-truly heart breaking. Ben himself truly lived in a hell for much of the time- Though thanks to the courage of his family and Ben's own courage and personality, there was also a lot of love and some good times, I'm sure. I so feel for others in similar positions as it's so hard -I felt so alone some times trying to help my person and felt unable to talk to almost anyone to prevent thier lives/reputation from being further damaged or risk increasing their vulnerability further. hopefully things look good now but relapses happen and if it happens we wil have to face it and be strong..again. It's hard.butFor all you mums, dads sisters and brothers of addicts out there.. just never ever give up hope. try your best thats all you can do.yes, Ben tried and was very unlucky but he tried and he tried, despite how addicted he was- that was so brave.Heroin really is evil stuff.

jo
Just watched the film, my heart goes out to his family. RIP Ben

Sharon
This is the worst experience as a parent you can go through watching your kids kill themselves. But lets reflect when people see an addict they think it will neber happen to there kids.And I hope it doesnt but never judge anyone they are human beings who have just followed the wrong path. My son is now clean for 15 months.When I see an addict now I will not give them money but I always offer them food or something to drink I will never ignore them. I hope after seeing Bens diary people will try to be more tolerant instead of judgemental Prayers to all Bens family xx

Ulrikke, from Norway
I saw this documentary this evening at TV. It was tough to see how Ben struggled against his drug addict. I hope he has found peace in Heaven. ***

Odin
have been there .. but has now almost reached out of that life, powerful documentary, it should get your young people to think, thats what I really hope...

Caroline Doyle
I watched this Documentary and it broke my heart. To see such a wonderful man pass from an addiction is truly terrifying and unspeakable. I'm hoping to get a copy of this documentary to show my students in school. If it touches just one of them i'll be happy. Thank you for sharing your life with us, Ben. RIP.

Matthew
I am a 27 year old man from birmingham and an ex user i got hold of a copy of bens film and it realy made me think this is the sort of material that needs to be shown to the younger generation i was 13 when i started smokin heroin i didnt even know what it was at the time i was addicted by 14 i was put into prison at 15 for crimes to support my addiction and have been to prison 14 times in my life all for my addiction i came out started to inject at 17 i stayed on it till i was 22 and have been drug free 5 years i feel that this is the film that could deliver the message about drugs that so many have tried to deliver but failed. all my thoughts are with his mother as no family should have to face something so wrong without being able to change it heroin is not something you have to get low on or want to get off its an addiction like no other it grips you from the very first time you touch it i think the hard work ben rogers put into this film can only be a good thing thats never been done before so if the family are happy saving hundreds if not thousands from the same path why not use it? R.I.P BEN ROGERS

SUE, A MOTHER
This helps me to realise that as a mother I can not love a person better. Thank you

karlyn
So sad what a waste of a life.RIP hope ben has found peace with God

joanne
brought tears to my eyes, that poor boy's life ruined by drugs. he was lovely and had such a loving family. so sad.

richard james
i new ben as a freind when i lived with him in london a very smart man but also weak,, i treid to control his habit and it worked untill i left ..rip ben

Samantha
Watching Ben's film helped me immensely, my MUm died from a heroin overdose 11 years ago leaving me to bring up my brothers and sisters at the age of 19. Films like Bens and the recent one shown about a mother and daughters life with heroin help me to consider my Mums perspective. I have been angry with my Mum for a long time and could not understand why she started or why , if she loved us, she didnt just stop, films like Bens give people an insight to the everyday problems these people and thier families face. Whilst i do not condone drug use,I do agree with educating people, if telivising such things encourages insperation and understanding, then it is a good thing. Children suffer daily due to the stigma of having an addict parent and the addicts are out-cated from society, if people were more informed maybe they would not be as judgemental.

Linda
I forced myself to watch this programme because it could have been the story of my younger brother's life. He is the same age as Ben, the family background is so strikingly the same and I have had to watch my sister struggle to keep my brother alive. She has out herslef into to such debt and suffered unbelievable pain and anger. But she refuses to give up hope.My mum died 6 years ago. I have wished my brother would die so many times because I don't have my sister's strength and it seemed the easiest solution. Watching Ben and those last few minutes of the video where he knew he was dying made me cry like like there was no tomorrow. I wanted to grab my brother and never let him go. There is a small light at the end of the tunnel - for now - for my brother. He is trying. The person I feel most sorry for is my sister. She has lived the life of a heroin addict without actaully taking the drug to give her a few minutes blessed oblivion. No one cares about these people do they really. I hope Ben's family will always remember the 'good Ben'. The monster had it's way.

richard
i disagree with dave, "the only person who could have helped him was himself." i think that was the point of bens film. this illness cannot in every case be cured. there is not always a way out. its not down to strength of character. or even down to the choice of first taking it. we all have been that stupid kid ben once was who is open to possibilities. it could have been any of us. an thats whats so sad. and why really the film was so moving. im damn certain tho that this film would stop some people ever dreaming of taking heroine at the first choice, first hurdle. for those that have already done it its almost out of there hands how they will beat it. ben clearly couldnt, an the fact that he died of a brain hemorage whilst going 24 hours without shows really how strong this adiction was. anyhow this film really moved me. and whilst ben saw his life as a waist n something his parents could never of been proud of. i think in someway this film may change that. an his short an wasted life, may really save many others. id like to think so anyhow. much love to ben an all his family. how brave to show this. peace x

Kirsty
I think this is extremely sad and my heart goes out to his family and anyone in the same situation. What a short life he had. It's a really upsetting story. R.I.P Ben x

emma
im a herion addict myself and it so easy getting on it but so hard comeing off it i ve just started my dettoxs

Matt Quick
Watched the video of Ben so sad what a waste,my heart goes out to his family.RIP BEN

jay
i watched bens story and was touched deeply by it.my brother and sister were both heroin addicts and watching ben was like watching them.i know what bens parents have went through while he was alive,it is very heartbraking to see.ihad no objections to my children watching this,if thats what it takes for them to think twice about taking drugs then i'm happy for this to be shown at schools.ben seemed such a nice well mannered man,and drugs just took over his life.i hope bens family will have some comfort in knowing that this film will save lives.rip ben xx

Laura Delaney
This was a truly touching story...It just goes to show that something like this doesn't just happen to a what would be called "lower class" family.My heart goes out to his family.

Sarah
I saw the documentary and I found it so upsetting, particularly how Ben sadly passed away despite taking himself off to rehab. My heart goes out to his family.

abby f
i think this documentry was a good insight into the effects of drugs, i was shocked at the end. i think it should be shown in schools and and mother who has common sense would show it to her teenagers, to show them the effects of drugs. my mother used to show us kids documentrys like this when we were teenagers, she wanted to show us what we stood to lose etc. it worked for us. my heart goe's out to ben's family. at least there son tryed to make a difference and if this gets shown in schools i believe he will make a massive difference to teenagers attitude towards drugs.

Andrew Sawers
I am a Police Officer in Grampian Police and do a lot of work in schools and this is the best thing I have ever watched. Its real life and leaves no stone uncovered in this world. Also once again shows the link between starting smoking Cannabis and leading onto major Drugs. Well done to all concerned, an awfull thing for the family but well done for allowing it to be shown.

paul
knew ben years ago, one of the nicest people you could meet. remember riding round in his 2cv. so sorry to see this now. breaks my heart. deepest sympathy to the family.

Debbie
Reading the comments, people who have watched this see another side of the addiction and havent judged. I was completly moved by this and would have no objections to have my daughter watch this when she is older. It showed the reality of addiction. Very sorry for your loss. The saddness and desparation in his eyes when he was upset made me think that I shouldnt judge people in the future that I may have done in the past.Its a slippery slope and anyone who thinks that they will not be addicted if they try it may think twice now. I have friends that take drugs and they are taking a stop closer to this. I just hope they saw it. Thanks for letting us watch it. Its changed me anyway.

Kylie
What a brave boy he was- After watching the documentry; it stayed in my mind for a long time. A charming lad; such a shame

Darren
RIP Ben

Karen Hercock
Ben's mum is so brave. Hopefully by allowing the film to be shown it will save others. If only one teenager is put off drugs it will be worth it. The film should become a compulsory part of the school curriculum!

anon
we are going through a similar story to bens but not as far down the line.finding it very difficult to get the help i need for my 25 year old sons habit.sat and watched this film with him on monday night and i only pray that the difference its made to us is longlasting ( i know i will never forget bens story ).I think ben and his family are so couragous and they should be proud that ben thought about his film helping other addicts up until the night he died. what a shocking and candid view of drugs this film should be shown across the country to all teenage children in school.

Anne Baker
I felt very saddened but touched by this film, Ben came across as a lovable soul,who had a very supportive family,such a complete waste of life.

Wee Temps
Such a sad story to watch.

Lorraine
I watched the documentary on Sky last night and have to say it is, without doubt, one of the most harrowing and haunting things I have seen in my lifetime. Parts of it were poignant whilst others were horrifying. I think it made me realise that when someone is a heroin addict, there really is absolutely no depths they will not sink to and we have to try to understand this. Ultimately, no one can help an addict - they cannot even help themselves most of the time. How very, very sad it was to watch him become a ghost of his former self, and the affect it had on the family and friends.This documentary should be put on the syllabus of all colleagues and secondary schools. I am certain it would prevent quite a large number of people going down the same road of Ben.

shelley c
There is nothing that bens mum could of done more for her son.her and her husband where the most loving supportive parents ben could of wished for.he was lucky to have them there for him.they are very patient people with what i imagine they had to put up with for all those years.it was totally bens option to start taking and his choice when to stop.a question bens mum asked was if he had gone to jail would that have kept him away from the drugs?i know that wouldnt of helped at all as drugs is in any prison you go into.they are everywhere. watching the film reminded me of my life growing up with my older brother who was a heroin addict from 15 until 30 thankfully he is one of the lucky ones.he has been clean now for 2 years.there were points when i found him overdosing thinking he was dead.slumped in the gutter waiting for me to arrive home.his head falling into a plate of uneaten dinner.breaking into my home.all i can remember about him was dossing about.which was embarrasing espcially when in public.our family and freinds just ignored him like he never existed.no one wanted to help him.so he became to relie on me for a place to sleep money etc.he worked to support his habit.but would sometimes commit crimes to support his habit.which eventually landed him in jail for a total of 6 years.while in there he still used.when he turned 30 something inside of him changed and like ben he started to say to me he felt like he was going to die soon he was cracking up inside.he finally got a place in a rehab his 3rd try.and finally he combated his terrible addiction.im glad to say he is still doing well and his girlfreind has just had his 1st baby recently.i thought like everyone else he would be dead by now.and had kinda prepared myself going to his funeral one day he was the last person i thought would get clean as i saw first hand how this drug gets you.but here is the proof you can do it.you can get clean.with a long stay in a good rehab.maybe if this dvd is shown to schools it may prevent other kids from doing it.personally i made my mind up never to take drugs after seeing my brother on them.what is the point?to just sleep your life away.

Lynn Bennett
I too have lost two children in the space of nine months of each other. My heart goes out to you. Unless something drastic is done, there will be many, many more people going through the same missery.

Verity
What a lovely family Ben had, and he himself was such a likeable boy. My brother died age 33 due to drugs so I felt compelled to watch although it was hard. Please show this film to as many teenagers as we can. Then Ben wouldnt have died in vane. Rest in Peace Ben and your lovely Dad.

anon
My thoughts are with the Rogers family. Ben was clearly a sensitive and compassionate family man who was ravaged by chemicals. I pitied the image on the screen, but knew that the torment was horrific for him and his family. The utter waste of a good life makes me angry and frustrated. The love and unconditional support was humbling. I admired his MOther's brutal honesty and it terrified me that I could easily walk in her shoes as a MOther despite my boy being only 6. I really don't think I could bear to see it happen. Brave and powerful footage, thank you for sharing it.

naomi cave
prayers to go out to his family. what a waste. you cannot get a finer example of how methadone maintenance isn't the be all and end all of drug treatment... if he had been prescribed diamoprhine hyrdrachloride he would probably still be here today. we already do it, depending on where you live. shame he had to live much of his life in a pit of misery, taking his family there with him. as long as our country keeps burying its head in the sand and thinking diamorphine is 'going soft', more people will be dying. i know, i am 21 and have been a heroin addict since my teens. this programme is on sky 1 soon, cannot wait to see it.

matthew handy
i was a close friend of bens and have recently just been filmed for a documentry which will be for everyone to see on tv in the near future.it will be mostly bens footage but this time there is interviews with freinds and family talking about his addiction and what we saw,"the downward spiral we saw him fight and struggle with."I think this new documentry will shock but i hope it gets the right message across which is simply don't do drugs.

Poppy Beall
I think this is a very good thing to do and hopefully will encourage other addicts to change there ways both of my parents are herion addicts and i wish that the ywould change there ways , things like this should be put live on television maybe it will encourage our government to change his ways .

Shane
I'm battling heroin addiction right now. Its a plague thats sweeping our country with crack cocaine. I don't want pity, i need help. All addicts are human, we just made mistakes. The country needs more rehabs, not methadone. Thanks

richard james
i lived with ben for 2 yearsim australian.and travelled with ben.this is a shocking story.one i feel part of

eleanor murty
My heart goes out to Bens mother I too have a daughter who is an addict. i can understand the pain she has felt. eleanor

Ron Lacey
I think that an excellent way to place the shortened 20 minute version of the DVD before a huge audience of young people would be to upload it onto Youtube for all to see.

dawny
Im struggling with drug addiction.Ive never injected but i know there are still some health risks with smoking it.Im trying my best to cut it out.Watching these clips have helped me because it shows me how I could end up.I have two beautifull children and already I have lost so much,if it wasnt for the on going help and support of my mother I would of lost them too.Being on a methadone programme does not always help because sometimes there are hidden underlying issues to be dealt with that maybe you never knew you had.aswell as being on a programme i have to keep myself busy,i attend college just two days a week and some other activities,i find this very helpfull,boredom is the biggest trigger so i keep myself as busy as possible when the children are at school.although i try very hard iam not yet strong enough to live alone again and i live with my parents,so my children have some stability.I think Ben and his family are very brave.This film will help many addicts beause there will parts in there that we can relate to.Out of the whole film it may only be a three minute clip that makes a difference and turns someones life around.Who knows?At least he was willing to try.One thing is for sure it was obvious he was deeply loved and will be truly missed.

Shirley
I have just heard about this terrible tragedy after watching the evening news. I am shocked and upset at hearing the news of Ben's death. I worked with his mum for a number of years and met the family who were wonderful and supportive of all their children. My prayers are with them all.

Vanda Rorbach
I have never seen anything relating to drug use before but during the course i am studying i was shown Ben's dvd and it moved me so much because it really did show me the power of an addiction. I want to go on and get into a role where i can try and help people in similar situations as Ben.

Denise Rushton
My sister lost her much loved son to heroin last year.listening to Bens mum is like listening to her story word for word.Like Ben he was a very intelligent.He was artistic in fact he could master anything.....anything that is except heroin.I hope every teenager gets to see this film so they can see what life taking drugs is really like and also that it helps to bring about more help and understanding for addicts and their families.

dabojyoti hazarika
say no to drugs

Markeisha Orviss
This is a really good story that he has shared with everyone. Now i'm doing a project on young teenage students today that are starting to get on drugs very bad and this stoy will be one of my examples that I share with my classmates!!!!!!!! kidS saY no 2 DRugs and R.I.p BEN ROGERS

Jules
Hi think it was a great idea to film Ben's life living with Heroin, however I think it could be even more effective by charging for the Dvd donating all profits to a youth charity or a sustence abuse Charity

Lisa Chadwick
I worked with Ann at Beth Johnson Housing and I remember when Ann told us about her son's problems. It's a great shame as his family obviously did everythign they could to help Ben make a recovery. My thoughts are obviously with Ann and her family. I just hope that other teenagers will get to see the video and make the choice to say 'NO' to drugs.

Whitney
I have watched the film that Ben made and nothing in that film was "New" to me as both my parents are heroin addicts. Sadly my Dad was murdered in 2005. I know exactly how Ben's family feel. Even though he was a Heroin Addict when people watch the film they should see past the Heroin Addict and see the human being behind it. Ben seemed like a nice man he had everything to live for it's a shame his life was cut so short. May he rest in peace and I hope others learn from Ben's film i they do his death will not have been in vain it will save more lives if people watch his film.

Lee H
It is a sad thing that such talent should go to waste, yet Ben's story could be an ironic example of how youth is not helped appropriately. This filming could be used not just to highlight Ben's plights but also for others to see just how difficult it can be when you're not sure where to turn or who to turn to when you are ravaged by addiction.

Steve Pledger
Ben's courage in making this film is extraordinary. I only hope that the loss of this man's life to something he clearly despised, through the message of this film can result in a great deal of good being done; amongst users and those who might otherwise have become such. Over the last year or so, I have had the privilege to get to know his sister as a friend. His family all carry Ben's courage with him and genuinely desire that some good comes from this incredible footage. Much respect to them, and to Ben.

Esther
thanks to you for airing this story. Blessings to Ben's family for their courage in putting this legacy together.

Amy Walters
I knew Mrs Rodgers years ago and met Ben a couple of times around Alton when I ws a teenager. I'm deeply saddened to hear her interview and watch the video clips but completely agree with her that the DVD would be a very powerful teaching tool for young people about the consequences of addiction. I'm now a teacher and I'm hoping to use Ben's DVD as part of our drugs education lessons. I really think it could make a difference.

Rob McG
I knew Ben and his family as a lad growing up in Alton. He was a quiet and gentle character. Sadly I missed his funeral but would like to commend Mrs Rogers for letting Bens film be shown.

Caro
My heart goes out to Bens Mum, I admire her for being able to to be talk so openly, sadly there is little support for families in this situation.

Emma Reilly
My family and I know Mrs Rodgers and you couldn't meet a more kind and lovely lady. It was heartbreaking to watch the interview and video and it is a very brave and commendable thing she is doing. She has our whole hearted love and support.

Rosemary
AnneMy heart goes out to you - I too lost a son to heroin in the same circumstances. I would like to think that Ben's honesty in filming himself and your courage in releasing the film will help prevent others from suffering the same tragedy.My thoughts are with you.

Sandi
Ben's story is very touching. It is really a reason to stay far away from drugs of any kind. My best to his Mum.

Lorraine
I went to Thomas Alleynes High School with Ben, he was a charismatic, handsome and popular boy. I was very moved by the clips of the film i saw and hope his legacy will make a difference to the lives of potential drug - abusers.

lesley
It's heartbreaking, not only for Ben, but for his poor mother to see what had happened to her son and she was helpless to do anything

ali
as a fellow recovering individual i would like to commend this brave insightful gift given by Ben. i pray future generations will be helped to understand the real impact of drug use upon themselves and those around them. sincere condolences

Morag
My son started drugs also at 17 first grass then herion. In order to feed the addiction he went onto deal but only to known addicts and only for a short time .He was eventually caught and at 23 he is serving 4 years in prison like Ben's mum it's hard and heart breaking when you think back to a life without drugs as he was such a lovely lad i suffer panic attacks when I think of the future but at least he is still here .God bless Ben's mum

DIANE COATES
I HAVE JUST LISTENED TO BENS MUMS STORY AND I WAS VERY MOVED BY IT.I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HER FOR SHARING HER STORY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT BEN CAME FROM A VERY DECENT AND LOVING FAMILY AND IT JUST PROVES THAT THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION WITH DRUGS IT DESTROYS LIVES REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUNDS.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DVD SHOWN IN ALL HIGH SCHOOLS TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT THE USE OF DRUGS AT AN EARLY AGE. LET THEM BE SHOCKED BY IT AND VOW NEVER TO LET DRUGS RUIN THEIR LIVES.PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE AND IF IT DETERS JUST A FEW YOUNG PEOPLE IT WILL BE WOTH IT AND BEN WILL NOT HAVE DIED IN VEIN.

DAVE
sorry about your loss. i used herion for 20yrs. the only person who could of helped your son was himself