When conducting a peer support group with a small number, I like everyone to sit in a circle and I encourage participation.

Last week, with a group of 13 men, we started the meeting with a prayer and agreed to be honest with each other. They were asked to stand up and give their age, the drugs they used and to say what they liked about themselves.

Five of them admitted to using heroin intravenously. Heroin has become the drug of choice among many young men.

I then shared how important it is to have a good self-image. It was easy to discern that they all had very little self-worth.  

I talked about the importance of a positive self-image and how to develop one. It’s in these groups that I’ve discovered that people are anxious to let others know how they feel.

Two of the questions I get the most responses are:  

• If you had one wish, what would it be?

• What is your greatest fear?

One of the greatest fears in the group was that the people they hurt were those who loved them the most and they were concerned that they wouldn’t be forgiven for the bad choices they made.

I tried to convince them to focus on themselves, make good choices and stay drug-free. I told them, “If you succeed in doing this, you’ll please God and the people around you will not only forgive you, but they will regain their trust in you.”

The question about the one wish they would like had the most diverse answers.

When asked this question, one young man answered, “Before I die, I wish I could find out who my father is.”

After a moment of silence, I said, “God will give you the desire of your heart and I believe one day you will. Your Earthly father may have forgotten you, but your Heavenly Father will never forsake you.”

These meetings make me realize that we need to be available to fill the void in the lives of the lonely and hurting people that we meet.

On the way home, Jeanne was grieved for the young boy who only wanted to know his dad.  

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.