May 2024 3rd Street Beat

The 3rd Street Beat Mission Statement

The Third Street Beat is a newsletter written by and created for people with substance use disorder. Our mission is to validate that experience so people know that they are not alone, and to emphasize the many unique roads that we take to recovery. This is an opportunity to share our experiences to creatively support each other. We are non-political, non-denominational, multi-racial, and gender neutral. Our mission is one of recovery and harm reduction, and all experiences are welcome. All the viewpoints herein are personal in nature and related specifically to our contributors’ recovery.

The 3rd Street Beat Editorial Team

The 3rd Street Beat is produced byThe Recovery Center community with assistance from the occupational therapy team.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

My Journey by D.A. pg. 3-4

Three Things by A.T. pg. 5

Do People Like You by J.B. pg. 6

Family Problems by S.M. pg. 7

To My Friend Eddie by D.T. pg. 8

Feelings Influence Behavior by E.M. pg. 9

Down to Earth by D.A. pg. 10

5.14.24 By K.S pg. 11

Writings by P.F. pg. 12-14

Right & Wrong by J.B. pg. 15

A Perfect Present by H.G. pg. 16

TRC May 2024 Playlist pg. 17

My Journey From Newark, NJ to Brooklyn to Harlem NY May 2024

My friend and I be knowing for almost fifty years. Since the 70’s. He a delivery messenger in Manhattan. We did everything together. We went to Junior High School and High School. We was on the same basketball team together. We were teammates. We hung out together he is one of my best friends in Newark. So one day I was waiting for my friend at the post office in Manhattan at Madison Square Garden. Where the Knicks pro basketball team play at. And the New York Rangers play hockey there too. Their hang banners on top of the garden of the championships the Knicks and Rangers son. Plus they have wrestling, boxing, concerts, shows, circus, etc. So I sitting on the steps waiting for my friend. So this black guy came to me and ask me who has hard that crack cocaine in street term so I told him you got to go uptown to Harlem where I live at. So he was talking to this Black female was sitting next to him on the Post Office steps so she ignore him and ask me she said she didn’t want hard (crack). She want her heroin (dope). The nickname in the street iw dog food or diesel. So I told her where to go on West 4th Street so she said she didn’t want to go by herself she wanted me to go with her so she said let’s take a cab she didn’t feel like taking the train the cab was more quicker. 3

So we took a cab to West 4th street so we got there an cab fare came to 21 dollars and seventy-cents $21.70. To 34ths Street to West 4th 4 street that 30 thirty block distance. She didn't have enough money. She had sixteen 16 dollars. So the cab driver took it. So we walk to the park and we saw this Black brother in the park. So I ask him who had dog food or diesel and he said he had it. So she bought it from him. That a dime of heroin that $10 dollar a bag so she sniff it and 20 twenty minutes later she was feeling good. She started to nod off closing her eyes because I saw her earlier by the Post Office steps. She was dope sick she had a tear in her eyes. She was looking real sad it look like she wanted to cry. So I feel sorry for her. I know I should help, a person that a drug-addict. And in helping buy drugs. When I am in recovery trying to stay off drugs and alcohol I know I was wrong for doing that. If anything I should be trying to get her off drugs and alcohol. I wish I could get her to go to TRC or Project Renewal Program where I am at. But she live too far all the way to Syrance NY upstate New York more than two (2) or three (3) hours from the city in Manhattan. So good luck to her so that end of my story so God bless the city, the country, and the world. Peace out.

Thank you,

Darryl Armour

Three things you’re grateful for at this time!

I start off by saying I’m grateful to be alive and well today. Thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to wake up this morning. Secondary I’m blessed and grateful to be drug free, not having to worry about using. Third I’m grateful for my family as a whole. I’m also grateful for being able to use TRC as a stepping stone toward my sobriety. I’m grateful to have food and a roof over my head today. I’m grateful to be alive to see and walk because some people are less fortunate to do so. I will end by saying that I will keep gratitude in my attitude just for today I will remain forever grateful for life itself.

My name is Jack and I plan to write about do people like you because of you, or do they like you because of what you got. I remember when I met a girl, I had a new car at the restaurant and paid for her food. She invited me to her house. She gave me the key to her apartment. I was to go there all times of morning. For years she never knew when I was coming. Nobody was there when when I got there. Nobody but her. I let her drive my car when she wanted to. But one day she wanted to see me but my car was in the shop. She told her friends I was coming and what kind of car I had. I didn’t know she had told her friends about me and what kind of car I had. But since my car was in the shop I went ot see her and an old station wagon that belong to my father. When she seen that car she never wanted to see me again.

-Jack Barnes

Family Problems Steven

Miller

My niece always ask me for money

I don’t want to flip out

You think about yourself I not think about you I will spend your money I don’t ask me no more money I still love you don't ask me for no money

Liketheluminousstar

ToMyFriendEddie

We’veallcometolove

Youhadawayoflightingup

TheDarkcornersofourlives

WhereDidyougo.

Everyoneyouknewwere

Touchedbyyourundeniable

Starpower

Laughterseemed

ToAlwaysbejustasmile

Away

MegaWattsNeverdidyou

Smilejustice

Youwere

Electric,charismatic,andso

Veryloveable

MyDearest

Friendyou’ve

Touchedsoveryverymany

People

Withyourspirit

Eventhemosthardened

Peopleweremovedbyyour Spiritofgenerosity.

MyfriendEddieyou

Willsurelybemissed

RestBrother

Rest

Brother

Muchlove

Always

DavidTerry

Topic Feelings Influence Behavior

I used to think that it’s okay to live with women and become a liability thinking that it’s okay when all I encountered was disrespect and took the focus off myself, and the end results was homelessness and looking for help from women to satisfy my own selfish need. I had kids with these women and I was then considered a sperm donor but now since I been clean and sober the focus is now on me I am able to say no and mean it set boundaries and have a daily structure and always remember that I am in control I choose my own destiny in life. My recovery comes first whatever I put before my recovery I could lose.

-Eric Moore

Life is so extraordinary that the feelings that occur are so devastating that you need to evaluate every thought that comes to mind should be handled with care and examined completely through. Focusing on what ever dreams and values you want to achieve because as I spoke on the energy that you release into the elements can inspire you to excel to far, far more advanced thoughts than I could ever imagine. But right now I am so rejoiced of the things that I have acquired in my newfound life that is so amazing that each and every day I look forward for each and every new day experience.

Just never forget because with every remembrance takes me in a higher level of my existing. Think. Build. Restore.

Dear Me

By Paul Figueroa

Hey Paul how have you been? It’s been a crazy year hasn’t it? What with going to the hospital, Losing Mom, relapsing, losing apt. A downward spiral of pills, alcohol, Depravity, hook-ups and break ups. But you still have faith and hope and hope is a good thing, the only life preserver in a sea of chaos. In the end hope, and faith, and love will keep you alive.

5/21/24

05/21/24 My Happy Place

My happy place would be A cabin in the woods. With my dog and my books. I hear and smell the trees I taste the jasmine in the air. I hear and see my relatives. They give me peace and put My mind at ease.

05/21/25

I am by Paul Figueroa

I face the insanity all day Trying to tell myself all is well. My addiction fools me into thinking I am ok.

I way “I have control” “I control this addiction” “Am not even an addict!” I’ll kill it before it kills me!

I avoid these snakes, and fakes And isolate myself on a daily basis. But at the end of the day am a Prisoner of my own desires.

05/21/24

Untitled

by Paul Figueroa

When I use….. It’s like dying And then coming back to life again. Facing old age is not funny. But I survived bullets and bombs

And a lot of my friends didn’t. I remember beatings as a kid. And the headache I endured losing my dad. It’s like I died a thousand deaths. Holding on to what comes next. And every breath I take may be my last.

Cause you never know when the man upstairs Will call you home.

My name is Jack I want to write about

Right & wrong how to convince people that you’re right when they think you are wrong. They want you to listen to what they say they don’t want to listen to what you say, you give them your undivided attention when they talking to you but they don’t listen when you’re talking to them. They want to talk while you’re talking. But they can’t broadcast and receive at the same time. How can you convince them that you’re right about anything if they don’t listen to you. As far as I’m concerned when people think you wrong they going to always think you’re wrong. Because it don’t do no good to talk to anybody if you’re talking to somebody that don’t listen.

-Jack Barnes

A Perfect Present One Year From Now

Dear Harry

It is now May 21, 2025 and I just want to express to myself how proud I am in this perfect present moment. I am proud to be alive to being sober for 986 days now. Having a wonderful family and becoming the father I have always known I could be to my beloved Ashlyn and Caleb and I am especially proud of the amazing grandfather I have become to my beautiful grandson Logan. I am extremely happy you have also attained the financial freedom that has allowed you to go to work because you want to not because you have to. Your vocation has become your vacation and you have been able to create that for yourself. In this perfect present moment one year from now you are waking up in your brand new apartment and smelling the coffee that’s gurgling, wafting in the air you feel great and look great and are looking forward to doing great things. I am also proud of the many new and meaningful relationships you have forged @ TRC. Keep up the good work.

-Harry Garcia

TRC May 2024 Playlist

● Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

● Linger - The Cranberries

● Tell Me What You Want Me To Do - Kerry Campbell

● Jeremiah Had a Bullfrog - Creedence Clearwater

● I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder

● In the End - Linkin Park