B次元官网网址淥ffender, ex-prisoner, heroin addict.B次元官网网址�

Steve BradleyB次元官网网址檚 frank descriptions border on cruel, B次元官网网址渆gotistical and self serving.B次元官网网址�

Bradley is describing himself, of course, or the man he once was, to be more accurate. After multiple jail terms, 18 years as a heroin addict and many more years as an alcoholic, Bradley lays out those stories and more in his new book, Connection to Freedom, in the hopes those that read it take a different journey through life than he did.

B次元官网网址淲e have tried to emphasize how students (should) not follow the path that we followed. We use our life stories as an example,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淲hat we want to do is put it into the library and various institutions as a resource. Believe me, you wonB次元官网网址檛 get a more real life or valuable resource than from the people who have lived these experiences.B次元官网网址�

The collection of personal short stories, poems and experiences written by prisoners, ex-prisoners, homeless, addicts and more are aimed at youth, high school students, law and criminal justice students in secondary and post-secondary schools, with an eye on generating compassion and an open mind to the reality of life.

B次元官网网址淓ither you have the real truth or you have nonsense B次元官网网址� I am not putting out a comic book here,B次元官网网址� Bradley said. B次元官网网址淭here is some stuff in there that is really informative, because nothing has been spared.B次元官网网址�

Aneil Perwal met Bradley in 2008 after 17 years hopelessly addicted to crack cocaine. Once a promising athlete and student, he fell into good money early, earning more than $200,000 a year working with drug dealers and living a lavish lifestyle. One day he woke up after a binge and his girlfriend had left him, he had no money, no cable and no food in his fridge. He had nothing left.

B次元官网网址淚 thought I could handle it. I ended up being a money man with the drug dealers and ended up trying the product,B次元官网网址� the Spectrum graduate said. B次元官网网址淢y ego was out of check, I thought I was better than everyone else.B次元官网网址�

Perwal went through a drug rehab centre seven times before he finally broke free of the chains of addiction. His story is one of many in BradleyB次元官网网址檚 collection.

B次元官网网址淚 grew up in a Christian family and I broke my parents heart like (drugs) broke many parentsB次元官网网址� hearts,B次元官网网址� Perwal said. B次元官网网址� If you are a lawyer or a gardener, if you get into the drugs nothing good happens. It is called dope for a reason.B次元官网网址�

He hopes his story speaks to some of the promising young high school students who might be tracing the path he once walked.

B次元官网网址淚 have come a long way but there is still a long way to go. I was a guy that in everyoneB次元官网网址檚 eyes was going to make it. I am still going to make it, but I have gotten through a lot of trials and tribulations. I hope I can touch just one kid.B次元官网网址�

Like Perwal, Bradley believes stories from people who have B次元官网网址渉it rock bottomB次元官网网址� may make people think twice about their path and may provide another perspective from those who have made some of the wrong choices he has made.

B次元官网网址淚 was on heroin for 18 years, with Aneil being on crack for 17 years. We have an obvious connection in our understanding of each otherB次元官网网址檚 challenges and victories,B次元官网网址� Bradley said.

B次元官网网址淚 think that is why I am able to help people, because I am not a book-learned councillor B次元官网网址� I have been on the street, I have been in jail and I have lost this and that. I have a connection.B次元官网网址�

For more information on the book contact steve.bradley@shaw.ca