Dope Sick Love

This documentary was originally part of the America Undercover series produced by HBO and presents a searing view of life at the bottom of the drug culture. Shot in cinema verite by film makers Brent and Craig Renaud there is no narration, no music, and there are no special effects. It documents an 18 month period during which two couples, living on the streets of New York City, struggle day by day, and, sometimes, hour by hour to feed their crack habits. They are caught up in an endless hustle to make the next score, then the next , then the next. This is a film which should be required viewing for any young people who think there is romance in crack addiction.

This is what actually happens in real life, or even worse.

I was a paramedic for ten years during the worst of the opiate crisis and in the course of my daily duties I encountered people like this all the time I firmly believe that this should be shown to high school students so they can see the ugly side of drugs, and especially the desperation to make enough money for the next high. Note that they never eat. They just get high.

So I literally registered IMDb to write an update about the four addicts in this film. As of 2012 Michelle passed away, to view her Obituary just Google search Michelle Boswell Obituary As for Sebastian a few websites have stated that he is clean and still lives in NYC. As for Tracy and Matt. I found Tracy on face book as well as Matt they have a daughter named Savannah.

When this doc was made, another was Add at the same time, here in NYC: UNION SQUARE THE MOVIE. Both of these featured people from the same group

I was in the latter film, my best friend (Sebastian) was in this.

It's '12, and both of us are not on the street. He lives with me, and we're both doing MUCH better than we were at that point in our lives.

Michelle's son is currently incarcerated. Matt & Tracy (who we know), are alive. How much better they're doing is questionable, and not something I want to comment on.

Suffice it to say, (Sebastian & I) have both been through a lot. We made our films for different reasons (the makers of Sebatian's flick would give him money to get high - then film it. I had a contract (of which I was the only one paid, and even I was screwed).

But, it's over: we're older, and we both want to get on with out lives.

I wouldn't change way happened, but, I don't wish anyone would go through this. It's NOT 'fun.' nor glamorous. Unfortunately, you can't make people learn from your mistakes.

UPDATE: Michelle passed away in May '12. That's all I know (Someone told me. I told Sebastian - who wasn't interested).