Heroin Prevention Project

Charles Jines is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

As many people may know, over the past 18 months I have been working on a photo project that deals with the issue of heroin addiction. Now I'm ready to put the book and gallery show together, but I'll need your help!

During this time, I have come to know several Heroin addicts on a deep and personal level. We’ve built relationships, and are working together to tell their stories.
John Lee Waiting for Blood Infection Medication At The John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, September, 2014

Some of my photos have been published by the BBC and Mail Online .

I'm now finished with the field-work portion of this project, and I'm ready to produce prints for an educational traveling photo show, along with a book. What do I need funding for?

I'm in the process of publishing a book, along with a traveling gallery show. I'm going to have 50 8X10's, 25 16X20's and 50 11X14's prints that will be matted and framed. I'm also creating four 25 page magazines, in addition to the main book. That's what this fundraiser is for!

Founder and curator of the Urbana Museum of Photography , Lyosha Svinarski, has agreed to do all the inkjet printing of the images that will be used in any potential heroin addiction prevention photo show, for a very reasonable exchange. We're looking to produce around 125 large prints, complete with mats and frames, that will be available for display. I've set up this fundraiser to help cover the cost of materials. If you would like to help support this effort, any contribution will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What is the goal of this project?

First, through the forthcoming book and gallery show, I hope to put a human face on addiction by telling the addicts' personal stories. I also intend to articulate the need for prevention, harm reduction, and treatment rather than criminal prosecution for drug users.

What have I learned through working this project thus far?

First and foremost: don't do junk! The number one message that Heroin addicts have asked that I pass along is: "Don't Do Junk!" Don't think that you can just snort Heroin one time - it's NOT worth the risk. That one time soon turns into fifty - fifty quickly transforms from snorting to injecting. Six months later, you're looking back wondering what the hell happened. Additionally, I now personally believe that the best use of societal time and money in combating Heroin addiction, is better spent on prevention, harm reduction, and treatment rather than criminal incarceration.

This is long-time heroin addict, Eve. She is just 26 years old.