Other Side

Interview with Ray, a struggling addict in Allapattah, Miami.

Ray was born in Harlem, New York, and introduced to drugs at a young age. He came to Miami in 2000 and has been here ever since. Ray is the first person I’ve interviewed who openly says he’s given up on getting clean and has accepted that he will get high for the rest of his life.

Full video now on YouTube. Link in bio.

Storm recently got kicked out of the abandoned house she had been staying in and suddenly found herself with nowhere to go. I decided to get her a motel room for a couple of nights so she could have a safe place to sleep, shower, and take a break from the constant stress of surviving on the streets.

A motel room is something most people don't think twice about, but for someone in Storm's situation it can provide safety, privacy, and a chance to rest.

I also want to thank everyone who has shown Storm kindness and support in the comments. The encouragement and positive words many of you have shared mean more than you might realize.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can call or text the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for confidential support.

Interview with April about her experience being photographed by and the words she shared that are printed alongside her portraits in his book Only God Can Judge Me.

I met April almost ten years after Bruce Gilden took her portrait in Overtown, Miami. At the time, I didn’t realize that Bruce had photographed so many of the same people I would later meet and interview through Other Side. The first person I recognized from his work was Katrina, the very first person I ever interviewed. When I discovered his book Only God Can Judge Me, I saw April’s portrait along with a few sentences about her early life and trauma.

This is the first of several interviews with people featured in Gilden’s work from his time in Miami, revisiting the past and giving voice to the stories behind the portraits.

Full video now on YouTube. Link in bio.

Pynk talks about how she was introduced to substances by her mother and why she made that decision. This is a great example of an addiction pathway that many people don't consider. Pynk wanted to be loved by her mother, who was absent in her life, and at the impressionable age of 14 accepted the offer to use with her. That was the catalyst to years of addiction. Pynk was 4 years clean at the time of this video, yet still had to panhandle to pay to have a roof over her head. This is another great example showing that getting off drugs is only the beginning of a very long and challenging road to living a stable life. Pynk is now living with a friend in Gainesville, Florida and focusing on her recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can call or text the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for confidential support.

I ran into Shannon this past weekend and spent some time documenting her life. She allowed me to capture some deeply personal moments including her drug use and what she does to support her addiction. At first she spoke about it casually, almost disconnected. But as she kept talking she began to open up. She admitted it’s not something she wants to do and shared how it’s affected her deeply, especially when it comes to her personal and romantic relationships.

There are themes in this clip that feel almost contradictory. She is sitting on a coffin while injecting a deadly substance. She wears a rosary while preparing to sell her body. The coffin could be seen as a symbol of death, but also a reminder that she is still alive and not inside it. It represents the line she walks every day between life and death. The rosary feels like her way of holding onto something sacred. A form of protection. Maybe even a silent prayer to get her through this dark time in her life.

Usually when I film these stories, I offer a small amount of money for the person’s time. It’s not much, but it can help them avoid having to take more desperate steps, even if just for a few hours. In Shannon’s case, she was preparing to go out and work, and she was very open to letting me document that. We both agreed it was important to show this part of life on the other side, the part that’s uncomfortable, but a reality many face when living with addiction.

A more platform safe version of a previously posted video.

This video is important because it shows how substances on the streets continue to change and become more dangerous over time. One substance replaces another, and there is already discussion about newer substances that may be even more lethal.

It also highlights that many people struggling with addiction are not the ones driving these changes. Allyson is not the only person who wishes things had not evolved this way. The substances available on the streets are often shaped by larger forces and profit motives, while the people affected are left to deal with the consequences.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can call or text the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for confidential support.

Justin was sent to Valley Forge at 13 years old, where he endured physical and emotional abuse that left lasting scars. Julia opens up about how a dental procedure led to an unexpected struggle. Both share how these experiences shaped their lives and contributed to their battles with addiction.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can call or text the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for confidential support.

I've known Sherri for several years now. She was the third person I ever met and interviewed in Overtown, and over the years I've gotten to know her story and watched her face many challenges.

Recently, Sherri suffered a life-threatening injury while living on the streets of Miami and is now recovering in a rehabilitation facility. The road ahead will not be easy, but I am hopeful for her future. I've seen Sherri get clean twice before, and I know she has the strength to do it again.

Right now, Sherri needs support. I have created a GoFundMe to help provide basic necessities during her recovery and transition. For those who would rather donate items instead of funds, I am also accepting donations on her behalf.

Letters of encouragement and support are welcome as well. A few kind words can go a long way during difficult times.
If you would like to help, the link is in my bio. Thank you for supporting Sherri and believing in her recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can call or text the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for confidential support.

Storm shows the abandoned building she is living in, talks about how her addiction started before prison and how she feels about the idea of getting clean.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can call or text the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for confidential support.

Interview with Exotic, a man struggling with homelessness and substance use in Overtown, Miami. Exotic changed his name after a serious accident which he says caused him to be born again. His street struggles started at an early age from losing his parents and being raised in the streets.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can call or text the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for confidential support.