Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / June 21, 1984, edition 1 / Page 31
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Tony Brown's COMMENTS Women Who Don’t Blossom There has been a 600 percent increase in tlie number of Americans seeking help for cocaine addiction. In the new American drug culture, men give young women coke instead of flowers and candy. And although co caine use is higher among men than women, the greatest increase is among women. Thirty-five million Americans use co caine 20 days out of a month. They eventually lose their homes, jobs, hus bands, wives, their noses drip constant ly, they die - one woman even sold her baby to support her habit. And they become addicted to more than one drug (cocaine to get up; heroin to come down). But those are just numbers, you’re saying to yourself, not people. I’m going to share a letter from a young woman who responded to my television interview with Richard Pryor. Her story is a lot more typical than you might suspect. _“This is a gratitude letter. I saw your presentation on ‘Tony Brown’s Journal’. It was sincere and honest,” she wrote to Richard Pryor. “I. too, have been getting high for 14 years of my life, I am 27 years old. My last stroke with getting high was when I was curious on how Richard Pryor, my ■ favorite man, got burned. So when free basing was introduced tome, I was very sure that I wanted to find out how it was. And at first it was beautiful. “I thought: ‘There was never a high like this before. ’ Since my job allowed me to steal and my boyfriend then was a dealer, I was comfortably getting high. However, in the latter part, I found myself sleeping with men just for co . caine. “After two seizures, I decided to stop free-basing and just sniff it. My pro gression grew just like it had with the basing and, consequently, I ended up compromising myself (soul, pride) for cocaine, and keeping myself afraid, hurting, depressed and in a low esteem. I always needed a joint, a drink, a sniff, or a pill. However, you know, one of any of the above was not enough. “Rich, I really got sick and tired of being sick. Wasting my life on being sick of myself. "One day, I got on my knees after running out of credit, finishing my last bag of coke and trying to come down on vodka and orange juice. After finding a few minutes or sleep, I kept waking up, having to go to the bathroom and then trying to get that sleep back. But my guilt and my secrets wouldn’t let me. “I then proceeded to get on my knees and I said four important words: ‘God, please help me.’ A few minutes later I was putting on my dungarees and shirt and walking down to my now sponsor's house. We then came to what is now my job to be referred to a detoxification unit and then forwarded to a rehabilitation center for 30 days. iramus 10 me fellowship and my higher power, I have a lot more peace of mind. I know now that I have a disease -and I am powerless over drugs, alco hol and people, places and things. “But...back to you. When I heard you on ‘Tony Brown’s Journal’ I cried. Because you still remain my inspiration, unconditionally (you are not on my pedestal either). I am so proud of us. I thank our Captain (higher power) for steering us back on to the right course.'* Her case is, as I said, typical. Young women find themselves old and troubled in a few short years. They are also used; they use themselves and others use them. Those cocaine heads reading this will swear this can never happen to them. That’s what this woman once told her self. “Tony Brown's Journal’' TV series can be seen on public television Sunday, on Channel 42 at 5 p.m. It can also be seen on Channel 58, Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and Channel 30,* Thursday, at 10:30 p.m. Please consult listings. Stephen Gaskins .....Bladen County native First Citizens Named Gaskins Trust Officer. Stephen Wayne Gaskins has been named a trust officer for First Citizens Bank in Charlotte. The Bladen County native earned a bachelor's degree in business admini stration from Campbell University. He is also a licensed N.C. Real Estate Broker. Try Our Classified Section mi mmmisi i 376-0496 #14K Gold Fingernails •The Ultimate In M a fc w European Facial Care ^^•Complete Hair Care Service [ “Th£ Ajje of_Sgecialization_’ _ j COMPLETE HAIRCARE SERVICE “Where Detag Oar Best Is Nof • Enough...Unless You’re Satisfied" HAS ORIGINAL BEAUTY CENTER 202Q N. Graham St. Ill-Mil or 111 MM 3 *2” tfAnd, ufl ^AII styles, All colors. As long as It lasts. (shag, plush, high-low, commercial) THOMAS CARPETS 2*M N. Graham St. 376-76*9 M Hutchison Shopping Center hmi __ Rev. Thomas Rorie A Year ef fheBCST NEWS A BfTBtTAlNMEMT Anywhere Cal.. 376-0496 UNDERCOVER BOOK SOURCE Books • Cards • Magazines ■Revealing a Proud AfroAmerCan heritage" j featuring: African Baby Book •9,s ruES • Sat 10-6 MSEastBlvd Sun 2-5 Charlotte. NC 20203 ANGELA R SIMPSON^ 704/376-7209 Owner INVITATION FOR BIDS City of Charlotte will receive bids for PARK ROAD LAKE DREDGING, Project Number 512-84-164, until 2 p.m. on the 23rd day of July, 1984, in the fourth floor conference room of the Ca meron-Brown Building, 301 South McDowell St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids are invited upon the several items and quantities of work as follows: Removal and disposal of approximately 7300 cubic yards of material from the park lake. Contract Documents, including Drawings and Technical Specifications are on file at the office of the City Engineer at 302 South McDowell St., the local A.G.C. office, and the Dodge Plan Room. Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained by paying $25.00 to the City of Charlotte for each set of documents obtained. / A certified check or bank draft, payable to the order of the City of Charlotte, negotiable U.S. Gov ernment bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety, in an amount equal to five percent of the total bid shall be submitted with each bid. Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the Contract Documents must be paid on this project, and that the contractor must ensure that em ployees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Attention is also called to the fact that federal and-or state funds are partially funding this project. Only bidders who are eligible to do work for these agencies shall be eligible to bid on this project. The City of Charlotte reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the Bidding. Bids may be held by the City of Charlotte for a period not to exceed sixty days from the date of the opening of bids for the purpose or reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of bidders, prior - to awarding of the Contract. All Bidders are hereby notified that they must have proper licenses as required by State law at the time of submittal of bids. Bidders are advised that this contract contains provisions requiring the Contractor to document that sufficient good faith efforts have been made to provide equal opportunity for Minority and Women Business Enterprises to participate in the subcon tracting and material supplier opportunities available under this contract. A pre-bid conference will be held on July 16, 1984, at 10 a.m. in the fourth floor conference room of the Cameron-Brown Building, 301 South McDowell St., Charlotte, N.C., for the purpose of discussion of questions pertaining to the project. Bidders, pro spective bidders, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. An Addendum will be issued subsequent to this meeting for clarification or revision of bid documents as required. City of Charlotte O. Wendell White City Manager
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 21, 1984, edition 1
31
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