I got hooked on marijuana to escape an abusive relationship. It got so bad that I one day decided to buy marijuana from a drug dealer and that's when my addiction began.

Now a typical day in my life is chaos. I start off by heading to a public restroom, brushing my teeth with the tiny bit of toothpaste that I have left and of course, the day couldn't be normal without getting stares from all the women in the restroom. I then get on the streets and ask for money. What else am I supposed to do when I'm vulnerable? At the end of a long day, I will usually only get a couple of bucks and use it to buy a bit of food for my hungry tummy. But other days I'll save up to buy marijuana. I know drugs aren't good for me but Marijuana comforts me, I feel relieved after smoking it. It's almost like all the stress leaves my body and that's what I love about it.

I never thought I would be living on the streets at age 22. I thought I would be in college getting a degree and making my parents proud of the child they had but I was obviously wrong. I live on the streets. Not surprising huh? I'm just like every other homeless person trying to survive with the little I have and asking for money. I've tried getting a job but the manager will always reject me calling me “filthy” and “junkie”, which isn't a lie, so I gave up on getting a job. I don't own a car so I usually walk or steal other people’s bikes when necessary. I have sadly lost all contact with family and friends because someone stole my phone while I was sleeping.

My physical state isn't the best; I haven't taken a shower in weeks and I miss the feeling of the warm water washing my body. I have eye bags and my muscles are always so sore. Besides my physical state, my emotional state is very different. I frequently have thoughts of suicide but I always have a tiny bit of hope that one day I'll have a big house and children to take care of. I try my best to stay positive and be grateful that I am alive and that I shouldn't waste the chance to live in such a beautiful world.

I don't exactly have hobbies but I try to come up with fun ideas for when I am bored. I'll usually grab some sticks to build a small house and then grab some grass and twigs to make humans out of it and then I just play pretend as if I were a child playing with my dolls. As childish as it sounds, it passes the time and I enjoy doing it.

I hope to one day stop my addiction and restart my life all over again. Thank you.