Harlan's Story

My name is Harlan J. and I am 18 years old.  This is my story.

I grew up in a two-parent household with two siblings.  I am the oldest child.  I started using drugs about 3-4 years ago.  Marijuana is my drug of choice.  I loved to smoke marijuana.  It made me feel good.  If I was having a bad day, or if I had gotten into a fight with my parents, marijuana took that bad feeling away. 

At first it started out with my friends, and I was smoking only on the weekends or at parties.  Then it got to the point where I smoked marijuana every day and without my friends.  Marijuana was all I could think about.  I got caught with possession of marijuana at school.  My whole life turned at that point. I had to go to court and the Judge told me that I needed to enroll into a drug program.  All I could think was that I don’t have a drug problem”. “ This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about”.  I was referred to the Vista Hill Bridges program. 

On my very first day of program, my group counselor asked me what my plans were for the future.  I told her I planned on going into the military.  She told me that if I didn’t complete this program I would not be able to meet my goals. And that’s exactly what could happen to me if I didn’t straighten up my act and stop using.  I decided I needed to get serious about my future.