Community Corner

Poem Gives Drug Forum Attendees Look into Addict's Mind

Wednesday night's forum in Mahopac on drug addiction drew more than 200 people, and it kicked off with a few words from organizers and supporters—and a powerful poem that provides a glimpse into an addict's mind.

Steven and Susan Salomone of Mahopac and 
Lou and Carol Christiansen of Somers started the organization "Drug Crisis in Our Backyard." In 2012 the Salomones lost their 29-year-old son Justin and the Christiansens lost their 28-year-old son Erik. Both young men died from drug overdoses.

Before a slew of local experts specializing in drug addiction took the floor, Steven Salomone read a poem. 

"This is going to be an attention-grabber," he said. "...It's an unfinished work but I thought it might give you some insight into what's going on in an addict's mind. It's called my higher power. It's a little rough."

Here's the text of the poem, which was written by a deceased heroin addict.

My Higher Power
My higher power don't mean nothin' to me,
Never gave me nothin' except this demon in me.
And it hides and it jives 'til I know it's there,
Then it jumps on my back and it says "Baby—I'm here!"
So get ready for your wildest dreams,
But keep it real with sound-shrieking, deafening screams.
The fog is so thick and it's so suffocating.
Outside it's hell, but inside, intoxicating.
I welcome the grip of this monster, my friend.
He's been cohort in crime from beginning to end.
So [expletive] all this talk of a beautiful life,
'Cuz the only way to that is the needle or pipe.
And I'm so sick inside when my demon ain't fed.
And when he gets what he wants it's like food for the head.
Every dirty deed makes me wretch in pain,
And the one cure for that is to tap another vein.
Let the blood spill out, drop by drop,
As it hits the floor and starts to clot.
And then the demon it sits down next to me,
'Cuz now he's relaxed and is happy with me.
But that will be over in a few short hours,
When he gets off the couch and is back on my shoulders.

After the poem, Salomone reiterated one of the messages the organization is hoping to spread—that addiction is a disease.

"We are about trying to help people that are struggling like this," he said. "We missed it. Don't miss it in your own family."

A 25-year-old Mahopac man died from a heroin overdose over the weekend, and three other young adults overdosed—and survived—in recent days, according to Carmel Police. About nine months ago a string of overdoses in Northern Westchester and Putnam claimed several lives.

This forum was held at the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department's fire house at the corner of Croton Falls Road and Route 6. It was the fifth forum the organization has hosted.


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