Hello everyone, I’m sharing my story to urge you and your loved ones to steer clear of drugs. I’ve been in prison for two years on charges of dangerous drugs trafficking, specifically over 800+ grams. The sentence for this charge ranges from 20 to 23 years. That’s what I’m facing.
I am a 45-year-old man with a 73-year-old mother who suffers from chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes. I also have a 19-year-old son who is still in school. We lived together renting a place for HK$6,000 a month. I studied in Australia until the age of 13 but had to abandon my studies in year 11 due to my parents’ financial difficulties. I got married at 21, had my son at 26, and by 27, I was divorced and had custody of my son. It wasn’t easy being a single parent, but my mother was always there to help.
…But when she left me, taking most of my money, I was devastated. I turned to alcohol and eventually tried ICE, a drug a work friend suggested. This marked the downturn of my life. I treated my mother poorly, moved into an industrial building with my son, and squandered money on drugs.
At 33, I had a stable life. I lived with my mom, had a maid for my son, and a Filipino girlfriend of eight years. But when she left me, taking most of my money, I was devastated. I turned to alcohol and eventually tried ICE, a drug a work friend suggested. This marked the downturn of my life. I treated my mother poorly, moved into an industrial building with my son, and squandered money on drugs.
Drug addiction is beyond imagination. It damages your brain, creates awful memories, and turns you into a person you don’t recognize. In 2015, I was caught stealing, and a urine test revealed my drug addiction. I was sent to rehab for six months, and my son was placed in a childcare center. In 2018, I was arrested for burglary and sentenced to 20 months in prison.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, construction work slowed down, and my boss decided to start the Chinese New Year holiday early in 2022. Less work meant less pay. I couldn’t cover January’s rent and had no luck finding part-time work. As the Chinese New Year approached in mid-February, there was still no news of work from my boss, and I didn’t know how we would cover rent and other expenses. Under enormous pressure and with the wrong influences, I made the biggest mistake of my life for quick, easy money.
I was shocked when I found myself in a police station, not knowing how long I had been there. I cooperated fully with the police, answering their questions, and worrying about my mom and son. They finally let me make a phone call. I called my son, fearing my mother’s reaction given her health and age. Instead of anger, my son reassured me, promising to explain to his grandmother and jokingly saying he wanted to see me muscular when I got out. I broke down in tears, grateful for such a son.
After being remanded it all felt like a dream. I yearned for my bed at home, waking up each morning in jail. A week later, my mom visited. She seemed older, skinnier, and slower. I couldn’t stop crying at the sight of her through the glass.
Drugs have utterly destroyed my life.
Please tell your friends and family to avoid drugs, or they could end up like me. Now, all I can do is pray for one last chance to care for my mother in her remaining years. God bless.
Note: This story has been edited to improve readability, improve grammar and correct orthographic errors.
