Anyone and everyone concerned with supporting at-risk youth. This is not an official profile of any kind. I am an ex-youth and family advocate.
Several issues surround this project, and I'd like to think that if you join me on this page one or more of them will be important to you.
Addiction and recovery. The topic of conversation that stands out most obviously. The journey of a recovering user cannot possibly be easy. Exorcising the demons that drive us never is. But there is hope. Faith and hope are sometimes all you'll have.
Youth - Childhood experiences, and their effect on the emerging adult are more important than most people realise. Nikki Sixx says "I don't know what happened to my childhood". I'm told the book goes into his rediscovery of his own history.
Relationships matter. The people that we interact with form a huge part of who we will become, what drives us, and where we will ultimately come to rest. "I was their only son, and I tried". Relationships matter.
Homeless youth issues. This project raises awareness of and contributes to the work of Covenant House. It is hoped that homeless youth will benefit from Nikki's experiences and work with the Heroin Diaries.
I'd like to close my eyes and pretend that this is not an epidemic, but that would be foolish. More and more young people every day are finding themselves homeless, and many are succumbing to substance abuse. If we can't get to them before it's too late, their futures will lie in ruins that will be difficult for many of them to rebuild. Some will never have the chance to rebuild. If just one young person is rescued from the streets and given another chance, it will be worth it. And if just one kid reads this and thinks "I don't wanna go there with drugs" then the project will have accomplished something great.
I believe that this book needs to be in the hands of every parent, every teacher, every youth aid worker, and every youth counselor. I'm compelled to network it, and I need your help. Every library needs a copy, and every church needs a copy. We need both the information and the education.
It may not always be palatable, but then reality never is.
For the fans:
There has also recently been the development of this profile , offering Nikki's fans the opportunity to share their own experiences with drug and alcohol issues. It's probably the best idea I have seen out of Myspace so far, and you can remain anonymous if you wish. Read the MySpace Safety Tips
Thanks for visiting, I appreciate it.