Going From Being A Portland State XC Runner To A Heroin Junkie In Two Years

I think this really says more about the dedication and compassion of the Portland judges to not just throw this dude in jail for 10 years considering how many times he's been arrested. I know a lot of guys from my high school days who were thrown in jail for various stints, but could have really turned their life around if someone had just invested more than 30 seconds in them to see that they really wanted help.

I don't think it's fair to say these judges are 'coddling' the addicts, and that this type of system will never work. I think their heads are in the right places by setting up the drug court outside of the criminal court, and various other programs designed to really help addicts. However, for this particular case, it hasn't seemed to work, but that doesn't mean abandon the program altogether. This kid was given so many chances, and it looks like he's been arrested 10+ times already. Honestly, I would probably throw him in jail for a few years, but I wouldn't abandon hope that somebody else could really benefit from the same type of leniency he has previously been shown. I really do hope he pulls it together though because I'm sure he wants to change. Nobody wants to live their lives as a junkie on the streets.

I remember this when it was posted by Rojo. Hopefully this guy sis okay now.

Quick question:

Wouldn't jail time clean him up? I mean, this kid is obviously an addict. He isn't a criminal in other ways, at least not without the addiction driving him.

Can't you just throw him in jail for a year to clean him up and then let him try again? I know addiction is hard, but if he is a year removed, you'd think he could see straight, right?

Is that naive and ignorant to say?

Looks like he hasn't been arrested since September, so either he's stayed out of trouble or is doing a stretch. Funny thing about jail, depending on who you are, there is a lot of the same kind of trouble you can get into in jail.

Stopped Up wrote:

...Is that naive and ignorant to say?

A bit naive. Just because you are inside does not mean that you are "removed" from your demons. You are actually surrounded by many like minded individuals who have nothing better to do than to plan how to get contraband into the facility.

Not clean inside wrote:

Stopped Up wrote:

...Is that naive and ignorant to say?

A bit naive. Just because you are inside does not mean that you are "removed" from your demons. You are actually surrounded by many like minded individuals who have nothing better to do than to plan how to get contraband into the facility.

Sounds much like the politicians down in Washington....

hes doing amazing :) hes been clean for I think almost 8 months now and going strong. he also goes and helps people who are in the same position that he was in. the only thing he does now is smokes cigarettes, but hes going to be quitting soon.

Anyone know if he's still going strong and clean?

Is he likely to start running again as a Pilot?

Good to hear that the person is doing better.

I can totally relate to this. Although I was nowhere near as good of a runner as he was (I wasn't a state or even district champion), I was the top runner in my high school and the captain, but my senior year of high school I started taking painkillers that I was prescribed, which quickly led to a drug addiction that would consume the next 6 or 7 years of my life. I eventually made the way to heroin, but with the help of Suboxone, I have been able to clean up my life from the tatters it was in.

It is hard coming back to the sport of running and being completely out of shape. I used to be a sub-18:00 5K runner, and now I do my work-outs at 11-minute pace. A lot of this is because my legs and body starts itching fiercely, which I'm convinced is because of my IV drug use and its long-term effects on my veins. I sometimes feel like I ruined my body permanently.

I relate to a lot of this article, although I was never homeless or in as bad of a condition as Santana. I relate to shooting up in random bathrooms, re-using old, dirty needles, and the constant state of withdrawal, which is impossible to describe to someone who has never been physically addicted before. And I relate to the relapses. I have relapsed dozens and dozens of times, veered into other kinds of drug addictions when I stopped using heroin and opiates.

I didn't read all of this thread, but it's nice to see that people were genuinely concerned and not disrespectful towards Santana. Drug addicts are all too often vilified in this country.

keep it up - good story

Thank you!

You have a fan and a supporter here.

Hello. I was never aware of this "blog" about my twin brother. Here's an update for you curious people he's doing WELL. Almost 2 years clean. Who cares if he was a great runner in school and he made it to state blah blah blah blah. Or if this is a runner website. What matters is the person who he really is and that his health is well. I know who he is and none of you don't. I would appreciate if you guys leave your opinions to yourself and who ever started this blog you're ignorant and have nothing else to do with your time. Everyone can mind thier own business okay!? Thank you kindly (:

Since none of us don't know who he is we're perfectly qualified to comment.

Melissa - if you are authentic (one never knows), please be aware that not all who post here are immature self absorbed runner types.

Substance abuse cuts across all walks of life, and if not dealt with, it is often fatal. No one reasonable wants to see a person in misery or subject to tragedy.

And while I concur that running is subordinate to concerns about this young man's health and well being, if he did enjoy running and found a healthy expression to running, then certainly it should be encouraged.

Moreover, while on can understand the urge to have everyone mind their own business, it might be valuable at some point for this young man to have a respectful discussion about the demons behind drug abuse.

I hope he recovers well, and if possible, mentors others to avoid a similar fate. I wish you well too.