Vanessa, thirty-five, had three children with an abusive husband. She “lost her mind, started doing heroin,” after losing the children, who were taken away and given to her mother. The drugs led to homelessness and prostitution. She grew up on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, but now spends her time in Hunts Point, “trying to survive everyday. Just doing whatever it takes.”
Photo by Chris Arnade
From Yahoo News:
Photographer Chris Arnade has been following the stories of addicts in Hunts Point neighborhood, the poorest in all of New York City, for several years. Of this compelling documentary project, he says, “What I am hoping to do, by allowing my subjects to share their dreams and burdens with the viewer and by photographing them with respect, is to show that everyone, regardless of their station in life, is as valid as anyone else.”
Addiction hurts. The “Faces of Addiction” photos and quotes by Chris Arnade reveal the heartache and despair in the daily life of men and women held captive by drugs.
“I have already destroyed myself. I can’t walk by a corner with a pocket of money and not buy dope.” – Erik
“I am sick of this life. Sick of jamming needles into myself, sick of not having a home, sick of all my money going to dope, sick of waking up and needing drugs. I just want a normal life. I want to have a home and watch movies.” – Michael
“At the beginning, when you first start shooting up, you lie to yourself, but over time you can’t. Would I like to change? Sure, but I am afraid its part of who I am.” – Joette
“I’m like a walking corpse. I just want it to end already. I don’t have dreams no more.” – J Lo
In our New Life Recovery Program, courageous men and women heal from the lies and deep-seated pain behind their addiction. They build new identities grounded in God’s truth and purpose for their lives. They find a way back home.
Thanks to generous public support, we’re able to offer all of our services for free.
To get help with addiction, get phone numbers and more information on our website: /what-we-do/get-help/