This is a good day, I was taking a nap and was awaken by the topic of the program today, Heroin Addiction.  I was so grateful to see young people taking advantage of the resources towards a life of recovery.  The success stories interested me the most.  I applaud the "Doctor's" program for the follow-up of  the addicts successful journey of life in sobriety. To often we see programs that show the intervention, and sadly announce that that person has relapsed, or over dosed. My story is a story of woman  striving to live a healthy life. I have SIX YEARS CLEAN!!!!. I am a walking living, striving, praying and grateful survivor of (30) years of addiction,criminal behavior and self imposed incarcerations.  I am grateful to be alive and I feel that my creator saved me so I can live the life I live; committing my life to helping others who suffer from addictions, abuse and behavior incarcerations,and to upgrade my own educational skills so I can be more effective. We need to see more success stories.  I also Facilitate a Recovery and Re-Entry Support group called "The Circle of Courage" It was started by Dr. Robin Herman, Professor of Psychology at Wright State College, Dayton, Ohio. He Authored  two books and used the material in  the books and designed the  course called "The Psychology of Incarceration." and the "Hanbleycea" Vision Quest, taught at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. The course is a popular course and continues to be taught, today. I am sad to say that Dr. Robin Herman affectionately known as "Doc" passed away September 23, 2009 from cancer.  Where I am going with this is two fold, 1) I would like to be on your program to support what you are doing, Bringing relevant information to your audience about health issues.  I am willing to disclose my life story, my past criminal  history and my success as a person who survived addiction, abuse and lifestyle choices.  Also I would like to honor Dr. Robin Herman, who was my mentor, teacher, spiritual brother and as he always affectionately referred to me as his (Twin Sister) I am Muslim and He was a Jew:(smile).  My life began to take a critical turn when I was introduced to the "The Psychology of Incarceration"The Hanbleycea", Doc, allowed myself and other offenders to consult with this class. It was a growing experience for me as well as the students taking course. We are a  diverse community of non-offenders and offenders who have made major lifestyle changes and are committed to do the "Work We All Were Called To Do"  SAVE LIVES!!! Even though "Doc" is gone I vowed to continue the work and I am so grateful to have know someone who was so profound, giving and was able to over-come so much suffering, yet, willing to give of himself to help others.  Doc, always referred to his students and family members as Dr. Ali, or Dr. Williams; he empowered and inspired so many lives. Dr. Herman used Viktor Frankls "Man's Search for Meaning" as a metaphor because of the issues of suffering and being able to overcome that experience with his "Logo therapy" or Meaning Therapy because it adds spirituality to the therapy process.  One of the many of Viktor Frankls  quotes  helped my recovery process goes like this. "Everything can be taken from a man or woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." The questions we as human being should ask ourselves when faced with a dilema,a condition, a tragedy is,"Can a person, given these circumstances, transcend the status of chronology and assume the role of cooperative elder-one who accepts responsibility for the well being of others, recognizing and addressing the pain of others;urging oneself on with the creed, 'We can do better than that'? These are some of the questions we ask of ourselves in the work we do and what we ask of each other, Do you have a choice, can you make a choice with dignity and clarity of purpose. What will or what does this decision mean to you, your family your community and your child? Thus when exposed to this curriculum, I began "Khadijah's Search for Meaning." At present, I am a college student studying to become a drug or additions counselor, I do have my Chemical Addiction Assistance License from the State of Ohio. I have worked with the Probation department and have a professional and some personal relationships with the men and women who use to be my probation officers. I have forged good working respectful relationships with the system and the Judges who previously sentenced me. I am now known as a colleague. My family is so much more healthy since I have been clean from addiction.  Understanding that I had unresolved issues that made me a high risk for addiction and the life I use to lead.  I now know I am a survivor of the gang rape I experienced when I was (16), It was not my fault! Letting go of the guilt and shame, facing my issues no matter how painful, is a process and can be a learning experience for me and anyone. Knowing that nothing, no one, so situation determines who I am as person, woman; and I do have a choice of what my attitude will be in any given set of circumstances. I will await your reply.  The focus has been on the younger generation, I am (61), I am a walking miracle who is blessed to be of service and in service to save lives.  When I go for check ups, my doctors are amazed that I survived, because most persons my age are dead, paralyzed, handicapped(mentally or physically) or still addicted to prescriptions drugs. I refuse to give up who I am today, I will continue this fight to save my life and others. I thank Doc for asking me those important questions and I was able to find my own answers with dignity and respect. The last workshop I attended with Doc at Kettering Memorial Hospital, a chaplain was doing it on "Viktor Frankls" Logotherapy, Doc was receiving Kemotherapy and radiation treatment at the time. He called me and asked me to go with him to the auditorium. No knowing he would be dead in less than (2) weeks he was still exposing me to higher learning challenges!  the Chaplain quoted Johann Wolfgang von Goethe during her presentation, "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of of being." I turned around and lovingly looked at my twin brother, my mentor, my teacher who was hooked up to his IV, wearing a hospital gown, and we acknowledged each other, because that is the attitude one must have to do this work. I am honored to have known him, my life honors him by the way I live today. I thank God for people like Doc Herman.

Sincerely and respectfully

KHADIJAH ALI