THE
TRANSFORMATION
I
used to be a drug addict. I was 12 years old when
I started smoking cigarettes, began drinking
alcohol and tried drugs for the first time. The
drugs caused my behaviour at home to change. I
went out with my friends
drinking, smoking, and
listening to punk music
in clubs. The influence
got deeper and I changed
the way I dress. I dressed
like a punk. When my
friends and I walked on
the streets, all eyes were
on us because we looked
scary. At 14, I tried
another drug, heroine. My
addiction got worse that I had to buy my own needle
to drug myself. Eventually I left home and lived with
my friends. I left school and started to work but my
I
was very rebellious,
addicted to drugs,
cursed a lot and
cared less about school. I would get into
fights and got suspended from school a lot.
My grades were horrible, to the point that I
was almost unable to graduate high school.
The
boys
in
my
neighborhood would
trust me with their
guns, and I would hide
their guns at home.
I got into many fights; no matter whom it
was with or where it was. I was a part of a
gang and sold drugs for money.
My mother didn’t give me the attention I
needed. In her eyes, I was a disappointment.
06 | UNIVERSAL | UCKG.CA
money was wasted on drugs.
At 18, my parents
decided to put me
in a rehab centre.
It was the worst moment of my life. Inside prison
we were given a bible and a book about an ex-drug
user. I read the book and I felt like someone knew
what’s happening inside of me. When the treatment
finished, I decided to go to the Universal Church
where my mom attended. I saw the light at the end
of the tunnel. I sought God and I found peace. A
new me was born! I was free from the addictions.
Today, I help people who are lost like how I was one
day. - Natalina Batista
My brother found out about the Universal
Church. I went and started taking God
seriously, I saw my entire life change.
I stopped smoking and before I could
even notice, I stopped cursing. My whole
character changed and everyone saw it.
I do not get into fights anymore and I
graduated on time. My mother and I get
along so much better; I can see that I am
the daughter that she always knew I could
be. - Amber Odom