I want to share a bit about my family background. I lived with my parents, my girlfriend, and my daughter. I have two older sisters and an older brother who has already moved out; they are all married.
After finishing Form 5, I worked as a warehouse clerk. In August 2018, when my daughter was born, I first came into contact with drugs through coworkers. I was arrested in November 2018, which led to my first conviction.
I was released in April 2021. After that, I cut off contact with those old coworkers and returned to warehouse work, though I still lost jobs more than once. In September 2022, someone I met in prison tried to recruit me to sell drugs, and I refused.
But in January 2023, because of financial pressure and my father needing eye surgery, I gave in to greed and agreed to sell drugs.
I know none of this excuses what I did. If you make a mistake, you must face the consequences. I need to change and never let myself be pulled in by bad influences again.
This period has also made me face what I’ve lost. My girlfriend was deeply disappointed and ended our relationship. My daughter is growing up, but my parents have to care for her.
Being in prison, I have no freedom and very little news from home. My mother visits about once a month. Each time, she spends half a day just to see me for 15 minutes, and it hurts to know how much she sacrifices. She tells me how my daughter is doing, and when I hear my daughter say she misses me and wants me home, I can’t hold back my tears. Because of my mistakes, my daughter has lost a childhood with her father present, and my parents have had to suffer even more.
Here, I feel powerless. It has taught me how precious freedom and family are. All I can do now is reflect, improve myself, and do what I can from inside—like offering guidance about my daughter’s schooling—while relying on my family’s support. More than anything, I hope for their health.
I want everyone to understand that drug trafficking is serious and wrong. Don’t make the same mistake. Please don’t chase quick money out of greed. It harms others, and it can take away everything you love in an instant.
Think carefully before you act. Find a proper, legitimate job—one you don’t have to fear, and one that won’t cost you your freedom. When I am released again, I will choose honest work, better friends, and be grateful simply to be with the family who loves me.
Note: This letter has been translated and edited from its original in Chinese. Switch language to read the original letter.