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I
had no idea just how bad the heroin problem in Cardiff was until I started
volunteering at the Huggard centre for the homeless, which is not far from where I
grew up. My view on heroin addiction was very limited until I delved into these
uncharted waters. But to get into a user’s mind I had to throw away any prejudices I
had about the drug.
I am not a heroin addict and never have been, so to get into the minds of
these troubled souls I decided to hit the streets with them. I needed to get very
close to get the best results; I’d walk to where they hung out, buy them beer
(never drugs) listen to their stories and their problems, drink tea with them and
buy them food. Sometimes I’d come away feeling quite depressed. The stories
were harrowing – tales of rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Once I had started to gain their trust, I had crossed the line into their world. I
have photographed in some of the worst slums in Asia but this had a different
feel to it – it was in my hometown, a place I love so dearly. I went through some
immense highs and massive lows when meeting these people. We shared the
same culture and the same feel for our country. I thought I was resilient in
nature, having travelled extensively over the last 12 years in some of the poorest
parts of the planet. I didn’t expect to get so emotionally involved with them but I
couldn't help it. After all, they are people just like you and me.
I became friendly with Mike. He has had problems with drink and drug
8 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| May 2014
Cover story |
Street life
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
As a well-travelled
photographer,
Andrew McNeill
was
used to seeing scenes of despair.
But when he set out to
photograph people affected by
addiction in his home town of
Cardiff, nothing prepared him for
the scale and impact of the
deprivation on his doorstep
TOO CLOS