First I wanna start by saying addiction is never an easy topic to talk about. It's not easy for the addict to just open up and admit that they may have a problem, and not easy for anyone involved in the addict's life. Drug abuse is no joke, and it can be a really dangerous situation you put yourself or others in. I struggled with addiction and have multiple family members who still struggle with it to this day, and I've lost family members due to addiction. Growing up as a child I didn't see how drugs affected my family, and I don't think I ever thought any of my family members were on drugs. Everything seemed so normal to me. Around the age of 9, I started noticing some changes, dad had been in and out of jail than he usually was, and none of my family would ever tell me the reason. The internet was bound to unfold all of the secrets my childhood self had been looking for, I found out the reasoning behind all these jail "visits" was due to drugs, a lot of them. My dad stayed running from the police, violating probation, and not only doing drugs but selling them too. Around the age of 13, I'm assuming my family realized that my dad wasn't going to change, They didn't want anything to do with him and they didn't even want him in contact with me or my sister at points. When I turned 14 I started hanging around a bad crew. I was always getting myself into something, staying in and out of court, and being put on probation, and I started smoking every day nicotine and marijuana. Being around all of this with my dad having a bad reputation himself didn't make things easier. I started not caring about my grades in school anymore or even showing up for school at points. I had the mindset that I wasn't going anywhere in my life at all and just be a bum. This year I turn 18 so it's been about 4 years that I have struggled with substance abuse, and have seen many other friends and family deal with the same struggles. It has opened my mind up to a way deeper connection with drug addiction. Drugs have shown me that they do nothing but tear you down and tear families apart. Drugs have shown me that they do nothing good for you, just one wrong decision can turn into a lifelong road of darkness. I've mentioned before I was put on probation at a young age, and I'm very grateful for it. If it wasn't for my probation officer I wouldn't wanna become the person I am today. I chose to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career of becoming a probation officer and graduating with my master's in criminal justice. She made me realize that probation officers can be considered role models instead of just the mean person telling you what you can and can't do checking your every move. I think the main reason why drugs influenced my career is because I know exactly how to handle these situations if I were to encounter them. I want to be a voice that is heard I've learned anything about addiction, you have to be the one to want to change that for yourself, the people around you are just your supporters. I want to be that supporter. Making sure people know this is a safe space, and that they will get out of whatever dark shadow they may face.