Say what you want about the Governor, but on December 21, 2016, this is what he said at this beautiful vigil.

"I will not stand for the idea that any soul is irredeemable," the Republican governor said at the candlelight vigil for those struggling with and those who have perished because of addiction. "Everyone has the ability to fight back from this disease, but we have to give them the tools to do it."

Some of the comments from the public were negative. I'm proud of my daughter for commenting the following:

‪Laura Diana It's really very sad how many negative comments I'm reading. This man took the time to have a candle lighting for the millions and millions of people who suffer from addiction. And as an addict, I have the right to say that none of us "chose" this way of life. It was something that just happened.
 
There are so many people who have lost their lives, their loved ones, or even themselves to drugs or alcohol. Had I known the first time that I got high that my life would turn into something so terrible I can't even put into words, I would have NEVER done it. It wasn't until years later, when I realized that years had gone by and saw the horrible place it led me to, that I realized that I had a problem that was beyond my own control. And at that point it, it's not a choice anymore. It took a lot of SUPPORT, a lot of strength, a lot of love, commitment, a lot of tears and heart ache, a lot of loss, pain, and suffering for me to regain control of myself. But that's what it took. That's what gave me a "choice."
 
Without people like Governor Christie, people who are trying to make a difference and give people hope, we have no choice. And we have no hope. He is trying to express how insane this has become and he is trying to make a point. Everyone deserves a chance to get help for themselves or their loved ones. Everyone deserves a "choice." But some people don't get one. No one should be turned away when they finally choose to get help because making a decision like that for someone like us is very hard. And if we make that decision and are denied help because we don't have enough money, or our addiction isn't "bad enough," I'm sure that will be the last time we try. I have no problem identifying myself as an addict, because I am an addict and I always will be. However, I am also a PERSON. I'm a daughter, a sister, an employee, a student, a friend, a libra, an artist, and a bunch of other things.
 
So for people who want to rip on this man for trying to do something good, something that matters, shame on you. This isn't for you, and I'm truly saddened that you felt the need to post your negativity on something so beautiful. I may be an addict, but you're just ignorant. If you have nothing nice to say, then keep your comments to yourself.
 
And to everyone else, if you know someone who is suffering from addiction, make sure they know you love them, and they know that they will have your support. It means everything.
 
Thank you Governor Christie, for trying to make a difference. For trying to help.
 
‪Laura Diana This was absolutely beautiful. I wish I could have been there
 
‪Laura Diana You looked beautiful 💕 And it's because of you that I am somebody today. You are my strength. I love you so much💕😊
 
‪Donna Pacicco DeStefano ‪Laura Diana I love you so much. You did the hard work. I will always support you. You can count on me forever💕

Here is a video of the Vigil:
​

"                    "Let’s talk about “language”
Words can be very hurtful. For instance, saying someone is “Clean”, what? Opposed to “Dirty”
 
Saying someone is an “Addict” opposed to a person with a “Substance Use Disorder”
 
I’ve heard people refer to someone with a S.U.D. as “That Population” or “Those People”
 
I’ve heard others say, “What kind of Parents, or Home Life did this Kid have?
 
I’ve heard “ We Should Let Them all Die” “They will Never be Productive Members of Society”
 
I’ve heard “They Chose to do Drugs” They Just Don’t Want to Stop”
 
Even worse, there is the "Public Perception" of these beautiful human beings. I’ve heard words like; they are just a Junkie, Scum, Liar, Manipulator, Loser, Worthless, Selfish, Lazy, Pariah, Failure, Weak, Immoral, Irresponsible, Cursed, Hopeless, a Waste.
 
These are wonderful families fighting for normalcy, health and peace. To hear these things being said about them and their loved ones is gut wrenching and ignorant.
 
You never know someone’s story. As with any disease, there is always hope that someone will recover. Always hope for a brighter future. Over 23 million people can attest to that.
 
Try reaching out to these families. Ask how you can help. Support someone. Offer resources or a smile. Don’t judge. You’re blessed that you aren’t dealing with this…yet. I sincerely hope you never have to.
 
Let’s stop the stigma and stop the ignorance.
 
What if it were your kid?

: Cloud 9 and its new sibling. Cloud 10, are sold in herbal form for smoking and as a liquid, in eyedropper bottles. It is often consumed using vaporizing devices such as e-cigarettes or hookah pens. Side effects include hallucinations, aggressive/violent behavior, rapid heartbeat, sleepiness and nausea/vomiting.
The immediate effects of Cloud 9 mimic symptoms of cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, and ecstasy use and include nausea, rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, chest pain, irritability, dizziness, nosebleeds, and delusions. Users may also experience impaired impulse control and violent behavior.

The Dangers of the Synthetic Drug – Cloud-9

The times are changing, and there’s no doubt that drugs are changing with them. Only a few years ago, “synthetic drugs” (a.k.a. “designer drugs”) were limited to ecstasy and a handful of psychedelics. According to the UN’s Global Synthetic Drugs Assessment, there were 80 such drugs in 2008. Last year, that number had grown to 348. These drugs have caused some huge controversies. The “Miami Cannibal Attack” a few years ago was reported to involve “bath salts” (which turned out to be false). Now, a synthetic drug called “Cloud-9” has been linked to the hospitalizations of 6 teenagers.
What’s Cloud-9?There are a couple of drugs that go by this name. It’s the brand name of one strain of synthetic marijuana. However, the Cloud-9 (a.k.a. “Ivory Wave”) that has been making headlines is something else entirely. It’s part of the drugs that have been known as “bath salts”. Most bath salt drugs aren’t actually bath salts, but they’re called so because they look like the Epsom salts people use to take a relaxing soak. Ironically, Ivory Wave is actually sold as bath salts!
The Story of Cloud-9Like most synthetic drugs, Cloud-9 is sold for purposes other than getting high. While some drugs are incense, this is bath salt. One way or another, drug users figured out that they could get high on it, and now we know why: chemical tests have revealed that it contains the substance methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), although it’s not listed on the ingredients.
What are the Effects of Cloud-9/MDPV?MPDV is a cathionine, a class of drugs that have come to be known as “bath salts”. When taken it functions similarly to MDMA (ecstasy) and stimulants. Its desired effects include:

• Alertness
• Euphoria
• Increased concentration
• Increased energy
• Sexual arousal
• Sociability

Unfortunately, not all the effects are desired. Some adverse effects include:

• Anxiety
• Chest pains
• Emotional instability
• Headaches
• Heart problems
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Psychotic hallucinations
• Sore jaw

Source: Waters Edge Recovery

Check out the link from Forbes.com below for more information.

www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/10/02/the-mystery-of-cloud-9-how-drug-laws-make-drugs-more-dangerous/#3feb21ed66d8

Along our journey, I read the books below to see how others have dealt with addiction in their families. Also, some self-help books because let's face......we could all use a little bit of that!