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Getting High: Cheri Becerra-Madsen talks Drugs
Track & Field, Seven-time Paralympic medalist
I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I had the strength and smarts to stay away from drugs when the pressure was on. It wasn’t all luck though – I made a choice to commit myself to sports, my parents and my gut instincts instead of drugs.
My good friend, Julie, wasn’t quite as lucky. We used to party together and chill with the same crowd. One time this dude brought a bag of weed to one of our parties. He offered it to all of us. I was like “no way” and took off. But I guess Julie was curious or whatever and decided to smoke. That one simple decision on one simple night opened the doors of drugs to Julie, and she has never been the same since.
Just like you, I worried that the people wouldn’t think I was cool. But what freaked me out even more was what my parents would think. Plus, I gave my heart and soul to sports. I knew when I signed contracts with sponsors for racing that I had a responsibility – I promised I wouldn’t do drugs. I’m a person of principal and wasn’t about to give up my dreams and promises for those people or that junk.
I fell out of that crowd — but they became Julie’s whole world. Getting high became her only purpose in life. She was an awesome cross-country runner who couldn’t even run anymore. It was like she walked around with a black cloud over her head – always sleepy and grumpy. Her addiction and attitude got so bad that her parents kicked her out of the house.
Next, it was on to cocaine. Julie wanted to fit in at the restaurant where she worked, so she started snorting the stuff. It became “her drug” – taking her money as fast as her personality. She became mean and violent and would do anything to get coke. I didn’t even know her anymore.
Her family couldn’t stand to see their little girl turning into such a monster. They had to do something before they found themselves crying at her grave. They admitted her into a rehab program. She hates everyone for doing this and blames everyone but herself for her drug problems. But one day, with good help, she will want to get better. Yeah, I’m one of the lucky ones – but sometimes you choose to be lucky.
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