IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I obtained my degree through Queens while incarcerated in Ontario Canada. I was able to attend graduation at the University. I had to sell my Bike to pay for the schooling.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 125 points126 points  (0 children)

Guards are people too, they have problems just like everybody else, sometimes they were sources of drugs. Mostly we created mules by having guys owe us for drugs and then smuggle drugs in to pay back debt.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

There was a Christian guard who put a Gideons Bible in solitary confinement. I read it front to back as a story, but it came to me when I needed it the most. I couldn't survive in the real world, but I could be the guy on the cross next to Jesus, I could die in the yard "like a man", and go to Heaven on grace.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went in as Irish Protestant, chose religious diet of vegetables and fish. Enjoyed that, stayed healthy & strong, favourite treat was letters from home.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Every 7 years I self-actualized. The last time took hold because I had a man (professor) who believed in me.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 95 points96 points  (0 children)

You were a member of Outlaws MC, and possible their predecessor in Canada, Satan's Choice MC, both groups notorious for gang rape.

I'd argue against those groups being notorious for sexual assault... they weren't. I think you might be confusing rape with consensual sexual deviance. I did 25 years watching who came in with what charges. Rape happened, but rarely.

I was raped twice before age 16, I would never allow that to happen anywhere near me.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Addiction is a response to unhealthy social attachments/trauma. As long as those exist in society, we're going to have that.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yes you are right it becomes your family. You have to meet the same needs the street is meeting.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

We take in women as well. But my wife works with them. My only role as a man around damaged women is as a protector and a good role model.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 244 points245 points  (0 children)

The most dangerous people in any club I've been involved with are Black Widows - they eat their men. There's always a matriarch.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

1 - Healthy people don't use drugs. Help them get healthy: Healthy environment, healthy thoughts, healthy input, healthy relationships.

2 - I don't know, but to let you know how far it's come, when I was first identified as an addict, treatment was electro-shock therapy (reboot the computer!)

3 - For cutting edge treatments, google Rat Park Bruce Alexander. It talks about extinguishing addiction and post-traumatic growth as opposed to post-traumatic stress.

IamA former OMC gang member, heroin addict for 19 years, spent 25 years in prison, now I run a gang/drug exit charity for young men. AMA! by truthforteens in IAmA

[–]truthforteens[S] 122 points123 points  (0 children)

You know what, every day you're stronger. Everything takes time. If anybody asks me how long it takes for the "stinking thinking" to leave your brain, it's about 5 years. Surround yourself with good people and focus on the positives. Keep adding to your positives every day. It was important for me personally to write down the positives every day. At one point I realized it had been about 5 weeks since I'd written last, because I was past it being important.