I am 16 years old. I am finished with the program at Habilitative Systems, Inc. (H.S.I.) in January and I did not want to be here. I was sent here because I got caught with some crack on me. I had to go to court first and then they made me come here. I took a drop and it was positive for marijuana. Then the court made me come to this juvenile program. I came to the program in January and I did not want to be here. I continued to smoke marijuana and I continued getting high everyday. I did not come to group when I was supposed to and I continued doing what I wanted to do.

 I found out that I could not continue doing the things I need to do because they kept telling me I was going to get in trouble and that marijuana was bad for me and that I should do the right thing so I could finish the program and move on with my life. I had to find out the hard way.

I was sent to juvenile detox and Gateway for a few months. When I came out I understood and looked at things differently. I understood that all the counselors who were trying to talk with me and to show me the right direction were right about the things they said. I was finally able to enjoy being at HSI and going on the different outings with them. We went bowling and skating and watched different movies. The counselors Angela and William would always feed us and always have something positive to say. We learned about many different drugs and also about making the choices and knowing that we would always have someone to call incase we ever needed someone in our lives.

I was admitted into Habilitative Systems, Inc. (H.S. I.) in June. I came here directly after detoxing for three days, because I knew and believed I needed to rebuild my foundation of recovery. I needed to start completely over, strip away what I thought I already knew, because what I knew got me high. Since I made the decision to come to H. S. I. for outpatient treatment, my life has made a turn for the better. I have not only became employed, but through the sessions with my counselors William and Angela, I have learned what it takes to stay employed. They have also given me some skills to cope with life on its own terms.
I am grateful for what I consider another opportunity at life, and each day through prayer, and my actions for this gift called life.