Oksana

     My name is Oksana. I was born in a good family in 1978 and am 28 as of now. Like in many families, my parents wanted for me to have a good education so I had been admitted to a University. I'm the youngest child in my family and my parents pampered me and I got by with many bad things. I was light-minded towards life and believed my parents could do away with any of my problems. However, even being light - minded, I dreamed about a good husband, gold of a child, a good job and carefree life. But all my dreams were shattered...
     The day I tried drugs for the first time 11 years ago is when my life started to gradually turn into a nightmare. I was 17 at the time and I had no idea my "hobby" was going to affect and change my life. At first I even liked my new way of life. I lived with a man involved in crime. That was so romantic for a girl of that day! I had everything: money, a loved man, carefree life and drugs. It seemed others could only dream of a life I lived. Many of my friends envied me. But the most "interesting" things were yet to come...
     I became a drug addict. Drugs had made their work. I quit the University. My daily goal now was drugs and coming up with ways to get them. I could not make it even through half-day without a dose. The police now knew both my name and my face. People were merely horrified by looking at me. They would all ask me the same question: "Look at yourself! What has become of you? Haven't you had enough of this all? Aren't you fed up yet?" Yes, I was fed up but could not help it. My parents had tried all they could. It's then that I, the one who had always believed my parents were almighty, realized they were hopeless.
     I couldn't say No to that potion. It's only during my hospital courses that I was able to stay away from drugs. Everyone had given up on me. I could realize that I was hurting my relatives and friends. I broke my family, my parents divorced because of me. My father rejected me - I was grieving him out so he cut himself off from me. My parents had wanted a totally different life for their youngest daughter. Their hearts were breaking... they could see there was no use doing anything; neither doctors, nor healers could help no matter how much money they would pay.
     But one wonderful day (I mean it for that day is still wonderful to me) I was told about the Center. A guy from my home town had taken a rehabilitation course there and was a stuff worker at the time. He was the one to tell me there was a place where I could be helped. I have no idea why I trusted him. The reason must have been I had known him before and saw what he was like now. Hope sprang up within me - I was now hopeful for the future, hopeful for a new life. My mom had a twinkle back in her eye after so many tears shed.
     So, I came to the "Salvation" Center where I was told about God and saw many transformed lives. God changed all my life. He cured me from the worst disease ever - from drug addiction. Now I can not imagine my life without my faith in God. I now work in the Center helping girls who I used to be like.