Recently, Coach Cullin had inmates from the Grafton Correctional Institution come and talk to students here at CHS. For many years now, Coach has coordinated it so that inmates come each trimester and try to influence students to make the right choices.

  For most of the students, it is just a time to get out of class, but for others it is a great opportunity to learn from others’ mistakes.

  The prisoners that came were from the “Dope is for Dopes” program and get no reward for coming and speaking. On this trip, there were two speakers both with very different stories.

  The first speaker was serving a five-year prison sentence for producing methamphetamine. He had come from Akron, and had a very difficult childhood. When younger, his stepfather used to abuse him and his mother. His stepfather and mom were both drug and alcohol users, who had no intention of quitting.

  When ten, he had his first cigarette. By age 16, he was out running with the wrong crowds, about to be a father and headed down a dangerous path. After running away from his problems did not work, he decided to come back to Akron and marry his high school sweetheart. Not long after the honeymoon, his problems returned.

  After taking years of abuse, his wife left him. He had been checked into rehab many times, and had finally decided to sober up. Not long after, he was involved in a relationship with a dealer. After months, he was now dealing with her and the unthinkable happened.

  He came home one day to find her passed out on the floor. A trip to the hospital revealed she was brain dead and had no hope of recovery. Agonizing hours later, the life support was pulled and she was declared dead.

  Not long after, the Akron police busted him for having a methamphetamine lab in his own home and he was forced to serve 3 1/2 years. Leaving prison left him sober, but not for long. After six mere months of freedom, he was busted yet again…for the same thing. This time he now had five years to serve.

  His message? Don’t make the same mistakes. It ruins your life, and the ones around you.

  The second speaker has a few more years behind bars. He is serving a 12-year sentence for vehicular homicide. This speaker however, hits closer to home. He was a wrestling star from Wadsworth before alcohol ruined his life.

  Having his first drink at 15, he just couldn’t understand why everyone liked it. But he would soon find out. His drinking in high school led to trouble on the team. When his wrestling coach found out, he was forced to make the decision to continue wrestling or continue drinking.

  After quitting drinking, he was offered a full ride to Cleveland State to wrestle. While at college, he was encouraged to drink; it was the only thing that helped him fit in. Not long into the season, he dropped out.

  Now living at home, he was forced to make yet another life altering decision: go back to school or move out. Being on his own, he was forced to grow up. Getting a job and living in a run down apartment was not what he had in mind.

  Drinking now appealed to him more than ever. After going from job to job, and getting a DUI, he decided to sober up. He was now working for a construction company and life was looking better.

  One night, he went to meet a few friends at a bar. He ended up drinking alone, and driving home. He not only had a second DUI, but he had also killed the driver. The driver was only 17; the victim had his whole lower body chopped off in the collision and bled to death on the scene.

  “The window of opportunity is there. Don’t let stupid mistakes ruin it for you,” his message was loud and clear.

  For all of you who think about using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, just remember that there is a consequence for everything.