There is a story that I read in the news the other day. The story was headlined as “Media Examines Alcohol, Drug Use In South America, HIV Spread.”

Reading this story and about how IV drug use is “fueling the spread of HIV” in South America made me remember a pretty sad but kind of irresponsible story a customer once told me. The story was sad because it affected this customer in a bad way, but the customer also acted very reckless, which is exactly why this happened.

“Hello, MB Detox, how can I help you?”

“Yes hi, this has nothing to do with passing a drug test, but I just really needed someone to talk to.”

“Okay, what can I do for you?”

“Well, I have been shooting up heroin for a very long period of time. I have made stupid mistakes and shared needles with people. I have recently stopped, but because I shared needles with strangers, I know have HIV.”

“I am really sorry to hear that sir.”

I was speechless; I had no idea what I should say to the customer. In some ways I felt bad because no one deserves something like that, but in others I did not. What did he expect when he was sharing needles with strangers?

“I really should not have called, but I have no one else to talk to.”

Again, I was speechless.

“Thank you” he said to me. “Goodbye”

Such a sad story.