From Riches to Rags: A Chronicle of Drug Abuse and Loss
Chronicle of Drug Abuse and Loss
A Descent into Despair
José Arturo Cárdenas and William Ricardo Arenas, two men whose lives were ravaged by drug addiction, met two years ago on the infamous Calle 10 and Carrera 12, a haven for those struggling with addiction and a hub for readily available drugs.
Their disheveled appearance, marked by a prolonged absence of soap and water, mirrored their inner turmoil. José Arturo’s torn blue jeans, oversized boots, and faded yellow shirt spoke of years lost to addiction. His worn black jacket and tattered moccasins completed the picture of neglect. William Ricardo’s stained green and white school sweatpants, faded plaid shirt, and broken black slippers echoed a similar story of despair. Their dirt-stained faces, haunted eyes, and matted hair painted a grim portrait of poverty and addiction.
A Fateful Morning
On the morning of January 10, 2010, José Arturo and William Ricardo embarked on their daily search for recyclable waste beneath a bridge on Calle 26 and Carrera 10 in Bogotá. As they walked, they observed a family enjoying a happy moment together, triggering a wave of nostalgia in José Arturo. He recalled the life he once had – a successful architectural firm, a loving wife, Aurora, and two children, Camilo and Felipe. This idyllic existence crumbled under the weight of economic hardship, leading him down the path of cocaine addiction. The drug offered temporary solace but ultimately destroyed his family and left him adrift.
William Ricardo shared his own story of hardship, recounting his lower-middle-class upbringing, his studies at the Central University of Bogotá, and his troubled family life. His alcoholic father’s abuse and the pressures of his family’s poverty led him to seek escape in drugs, starting with ecstasy and eventually succumbing to the devastating grip of basuco.
Tragedy Strikes
As they continued their search for recyclables near San Jose Hospital, they encountered three homeless men who claimed ownership of the area. A confrontation ensued, and William Ricardo, unaware that one of the men was armed, was fatally stabbed. José Arturo watched in horror as his friend collapsed, his cries of despair echoing through the streets. Paramedics arrived, but it was too late. William Ricardo was gone.
A Final Farewell
José Arturo, heartbroken and determined to give his friend a proper burial, sought financial assistance from the community. He managed to collect enough money for a modest coffin and a burial plot in Chapinero Cemetery. As he bid farewell to his friend, tears streamed down his face, and he vowed to break free from the vice that had indirectly led to this tragedy.