Here is an excerpt from the first of the letters I got from the young people at a treatment, minimum security facility outside of Custer, SD. I’d like to hear from other teens. Write me. JL
Dear Maam,
This could be for your “teen monologue”. In November, 2006, my 35 year old father died of malignant melanoma. It crushed my family. I didn’t know what to do. I still feel like it happened yesterday. I tried to find God to help me but I did not put much effort into it. this is when I started drinking and smoking pot. It felt like I was not worth it anymore. I was put on probation and I have a few probation violations. That is how I got here.
Now that I think about it, my dad would not want me to be here, but I think he knows that it is necessary. I should be supporting my sisters and brothers-not getting locked up. I miss my family dearly, but I should not be feeling sorry for myself. I should feel sorry for my family. I want to thank you for coming again. I hope that maybe some day we could meet and we could talk 1 on 1. Thank you.
C.T.