I was brought up in the church, I loved school and was an honor student. A happy child hood I had. I went astray at the young age of 14 years old. I got pregnant so I decided to get married. I was 15 years old when my first son was born. I would eventually have four more children out of wedlock, three girls and one more boy.

I didn't understand and couldn't cope with the responsibilities of taking care of a husband or a child. I strayed even further away from my family responsibilities and God.

At 16, I was introduced to heroin by a neighbor, an ex-marine. I liked the calm, peaceful feelings it gave me. I became immediately addicted and started "shooting up" every day. I left my husband and child to begin a life-style of drugs, prostitution, and shoplifting.

For the next 25 years of my life, I never really lived, but only existed day to day in this human shell. I would do almost anything for my next fix, whenever that pain and want in my body took control. I jumped from one drug to the next, whatever was easily availabel and affordable. Always looking for that numbing warm feeling that gave me that artificial peace.

In a one year period I overdosed and was comatose nine times! I was sent to the State Hospital and was diagnosed as suicidal and certified an addict. I've had many serious operations and a finger removed due to my intravenous drug use. My heart is now damaged from drug abuse. "I've lost everything dear to me."

I tried many drug treatment programs without success. I went on Methadone Maintenance for many years, another addiction, but it was cheap, leagal and it kept me out of jail.

I sit in prison today, 42 years old, and at the end of my five year sentence, a new woman in Christ. My Lord and Savior has pulled me out of the pit and off of Satan's carousel of Hell. I have found a new program for my survival: "THE JESUS PROGRAM". Through him I have that warmth, love and a peace no drug or man could ever compare too!!

Praise the Lord, I was lost but now I'm found, my faith in him will heal me!

Love in Christ,
P. J. Anderson
5/95