“i took this picture because it makes me feel peaceful and...

Final PhotoVoice Project 2016

“I took this picture because it makes me feel peaceful and relaxed, and it makes me feel

clean. Substance abuse is a rocky road.”

“I took a picture of a chain with the word ‘addiction’ on it. The chain symbolizes the effect

addiction has on people. One person may use but many people are connected to it and

suffering from what that person is doing. This picture can also be compared to a chain you

can’t break when using drugs. Using drugs turns into a habit and it’s hard to break a habit,

just like it is hard to break a chain without tools.”

“This photo is symbolizing the relationship between the drink and person. No matter what

the person does they cannot break free from the drink because of their addiction. Just like

when you get put in jail you can’t break free from handcuffs.”

” Some people believe taking prescription drugs is a way to experience happiness but it is

only temporary. The damage they do in the long run will make you unhappy, which is why I

made the pills into a sad face.”

“People recovering from drugs need support and counseling. Being able to talk to someone

about how you feel and what you’re going through helps relieve the stress. At my school I

can always see a counselor when I feel like using, or if I’m upset. I think everyone should

have support like this during recovery.”

“When I see this photo I think of a crack house. It doesn’t affect the community in a positive

way because drug addicts and homeless people can just walk in there and I don’t think it’s

positive for the community. This could also symbolize a person that is addicted to

something because it destroys them just like the building is destroyed.”

“I took a picture of a lock box to show that adults need to lock their prescription drugs in a

safe to keep kids from abusing them. By doing this, fewer children would have access to

harmful drugs. This could also represent a person addicted to drugs because they are

locked down. Even though the key is right there it still isn’t that easy.”

“Drugs affect the community at all different ages. Around Massachusetts there are recovery

high schools to give kids the support they need during recovery. I feel like my school has

changed me in a positive way because of all the support I have here. You can change

yourself if you want to, when you come here it helps you straighten out and show you what

you could actually do instead of doing drugs.”

“People use drugs because they feel like their life is not put together. They feel like they

need to use substances to feel better. But life is like a rubix cube you have to try different

things to figure out what works.”

“People are looking away from the problems that communities are having with drugs.

Instead of ignoring the drug problem we should address it and try to help people that

struggle with addiction.”

“Where do people access drugs? People access drugs from cabinets and drawers that

medicine is kept in. All prescription drugs should be locked up and out of reach of children

to try and prevent problems.”

“The relationship between homelessness and drugs is that people on drugs lose everything

and can end up sleeping in a card board box. “

“I like to go on walks to help me clear my head. Being out in nature can put everything into

perspective. Going for walks are really helpful and getting active and moving instead of just

sitting down and thinking. It’s hard for me to utilize it if I’m already in the heat of the

moment, but if I can wait a second and go before it gets too bad walks are really helpful.

You don’t have to go through recovery alone but keeping control you are, and you’re the

only one that can help yourself.”

“You don’t have to toss your dirty needles in the street; there is a safe way to dispose of

them.”

“This picture represents losing a loved one. This is what happens with prescription drugs

and people don’t realize how serious this is. People are becoming fed up with doctors

giving away these prescriptions to people that don’t even need it. “