After reading Alex Pope’s Jan. 17 column, I would like to thank him and also, I would like to share my own story.

My story, though, is a little different, for I was the one with the problem and causing the hurt. I have a drug and alcohol abuse problem, and until recently, I didn’t even acknowledge my problem.

Whenever someone said that I should quit and come clean, I would sarcastically reply that no one likes a quitter. The truth is no one likes a person with a substance abuse problem.

Since I couldn’t “Just Say No,” the girl of my dreams, the one whom I loved dearest, just said no to me. I will never touch the stuff again, for I lost that someone special because of my substance abuse.

The effects of drugs and alcohol are only short-lived. Her love would have lasted me a lifetime.

If you have a problem with any type of substance abuse, ask yourself this question: “Is getting a buzz more important to you than the love of that someone most special to you?” I found out too late that it isn’t that important.

Now that I’m on the road to recovery, maybe one day she can learn to love me again. Dear sweet God, I hope and pray so.

Eric Vandergriff

Freshman

History