Steward, a 77-year-old Philadelphian, is a fixture in Rittenhouse Park. A stroll with him is never just a walk; it's a social event. At every turn, he chats with neighbors and friends. His jokes have perfect Philadelphian timing, and he laughs with ease. Steward’s compassionate nature stems from decades of personal recovery and from helping others overcome substance abuse. His journey offers insights for people struggling with substance abuse or concerned about a loved one using opioids. At 17, Steward began injecting heroin. His first overdose took place in his [...]

John, a 73-year-old man, lives a comfortable family life in one of Philly’s great neighborhoods. He is healthy, funny, loves the Eagles and Italian restaurants. His neighbors appreciate his willingness to help and love chatting with him when he walks his dog. But John didn’t always live this way. His long-healed injection scars tell the story of his recovery. “I started using heroin as a teenager in the 1960s,” John said. The high helped him avoid stressors. “I didn’t need to care about anything. It made me feel calm in [...]