One of the most horrifying things that I have encountered during the past 18 months of working my heroin documentary project, has been witnessing the severe abscesses many heroin addicts develop. Many long-term heroin users acquire these infections through the repeated use of the same needles, as well as from using dirty water to cook their heroin.
Punchie is one of several addicts whom I’ve come to know, who has developed several serious abscesses. Punchie is only 49 years old, and could now quite possibly need to have his leg removed. According to Punchie, doctors think the infection has now reached into his bone.
And yet… Punchie continues to inject heroin into the same leg, like some wounded animal that gnaws at its own limb in an attempt to free itself from the pains and shackles of life.
Sometimes I walk the streets for hours in a daze after visiting Punchie. I just can’t get my mind around it.
Oh man. This is just too much isn’t it? This poor guy. It’s hard to know what to say…like you say, it’s hard to really take in. One of those things that people don’t have any idea goes along with this evil addiction. At least Punchie has a friend in you. And at least you are documenting it. These are not small things my friend.
I’m in tears right now…I lived wit Punchie for a very long time…I waz finally able to get outta there n can now say I’m 2 1/2 years clean…I still talk to some of them out there checkin on em…but haven’t talked to Punchie Inna while…this hurts me so bad to c this…I used to shoot him up in tha back of his leg for him but it NEVER looked like this he had juss started doin it in his legs at tha time…