If you wanted to see some of the effects of the scourge of "the pipe" on the Central Area, it was on display at Ernest McBride Park Thursday night.
If you wanted to see a message of hope from those who gave up much of their lives to the California Department of Corrections, to the streets and all the other dark places drugs lead to, that was there too.
What you didn't see were the teens and young adults who most need to hear the messages of their elders.
For those in attendance, the fifth annual presentation of the "Recovery Awards," given to residents who are battling back from addiction, was a rousing success.
Before a packed house of about 150 at the community room at McBride Park, more than 20 recipients were honored.
All were offered a chance to talk about their experiences and most did. They spoke, some soft and barely audible, others loud and animated. Some messages tender, others, but all sharing the same torment - addiction.
They talked of their lives, in jail, in dope houses, on the streets. Most thanked God, thanked recovery groups like the East Side Early Bird Attitude Adjustment 12-step program, and they thanked their families.
There was William Wood, known around the neighborhood as Minneapolis, who received a standing ovation several times.
Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews, said Wood is an example of the miracle of recovery. According to Andrews, Wood shot heroin for 35 years before cleaning up.
When Luteae Wishing received her award, a person in the crowd yelled out, "That's recovery there. That's Shine's girl."
There was Won Do, who said in the depths of her drug use, even her parents dog turned its back.
"So I sold him to the dope man," Do said, to a chorus of laughter.
Freddie Cornelius took his turn to apologize to those he had hurt, including his mother in the audience. He said he regretted to he had to go to his father's grave to issue that apology.
There was Alpha Sales, who said "I receive this (award) in the name of my mother, who didn't live to see me get out of the alley."
Andrews, who is in recovery himself, said to the group, "I do a lot of functions, but nothing means as much as this, because drugs have knocked on everyone's door."
As happy as he was with the messages and the turnout, Andrews said the next step is to reach out.
"We've got to get these kids in there," Andrews said. "That's a message that hits every doorstep. We've got to let (youth) hear what we've gone through. We're going to push to get the young kids to hear that message."
If you wanted to see a message of hope from those who gave up much of their lives to the California Department of Corrections, to the streets and all the other dark places drugs lead to, that was there too.
What you didn't see were the teens and young adults who most need to hear the messages of their elders.
For those in attendance, the fifth annual presentation of the "Recovery Awards," given to residents who are battling back from addiction, was a rousing success.
Before a packed house of about 150 at the community room at McBride Park, more than 20 recipients were honored.
All were offered a chance to talk about their experiences and most did. They spoke, some soft and barely audible, others loud and animated. Some messages tender, others, but all sharing the same torment - addiction.
They talked of their lives, in jail, in dope houses, on the streets. Most thanked God, thanked recovery groups like the East Side Early Bird Attitude Adjustment 12-step program, and they thanked their families.
There was William Wood, known around the neighborhood as Minneapolis, who received a standing ovation several times.
Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews, said Wood is an example of the miracle of recovery. According to Andrews, Wood shot heroin for 35 years before cleaning up.
When Luteae Wishing received her award, a person in the crowd yelled out, "That's recovery there. That's Shine's girl."
There was Won Do, who said in the depths of her drug use, even her parents dog turned its back.
"So I sold him to the dope man," Do said, to a chorus of laughter.
Freddie Cornelius took his turn to apologize to those he had hurt, including his mother in the audience. He said he regretted to he had to go to his father's grave to issue that apology.
There was Alpha Sales, who said "I receive this (award) in the name of my mother, who didn't live to see me get out of the alley."
Andrews, who is in recovery himself, said to the group, "I do a lot of functions, but nothing means as much as this, because drugs have knocked on everyone's door."
As happy as he was with the messages and the turnout, Andrews said the next step is to reach out.
"We've got to get these kids in there," Andrews said. "That's a message that hits every doorstep. We've got to let (youth) hear what we've gone through. We're going to push to get the young kids to hear that message."
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