Derwin (known as DJ) was admitted into the Houston Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center’s program in October of 1985, seeking assistance for his cocaine and alcohol addictions. This was early in my substance abuse career, as I had only been the Centers Program Director a few months. The first weekend he was a resident of the Center, Gene & I took several men to an A.A. conference over the weekend, DJ being one. We attended the conference Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.

The conference was held in one of Houston’s downtown hotels, the men were very excited to see the hundreds of people celebrating recovery, hear the speakers sharing their stories and everyone fellowshipping together. Most of the men had never experienced sober people having a great time, fellowshipping, dancing, laughing and even praying together. DJ was especially taken aback by this.

Saturday morning shortly after arriving back at the conference, DJ went to the hotel gift shop and bought a small gift for me. I asked that he return it, as I didn’t feel right in accepting a gift from someone I was charged to work with, re: addictions. I knew that he had only a limited amount of money, as he was indigent when entering the center. He had gotten a very small gratuity on Friday, from The Salvation Army, giving him pocket money for personal items.

Even though the gift probably cost less than $5.00 at that time it was a great sacrifice for DJ. The gift was a key ring with the words WORKING WOMAN engraved on it. He and several other men begged me to keep it, and eventually I agreed with the promise that I would use it for the rest of my working life. Twenty-nine years later I still cherish and use it every day. 

DJ stayed in the center for several months, working as a truck driver, picking up donations for our thrift stores that support the rehabilitation program. He eventually, obtained employment and left the center. When I left Houston in the spring of 1990, he seemed to be doing well, coming back weekly to attend The Trudger’s Group of Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday nights and Sunday morning chapel services.

I had transferred to the Oklahoma City center. I was there only a short time when I received a phone call from Paul, the Resident Supervisor in Houston. He told me that DJ had driven his car and parked across the street from the center, had overdosed on cocaine and died.

I keep the key ring either in my pocket (where I can run my finger over the engraved letters) or where I can see and pick it up at any time when working. I keep it on a table in my living room when I am at home. The key ring, helps me stay focused on the recovery process, remember DJ his kind spirit and loving generosity. It is a gentle reminder that all of us, all the time, are Fallible Human Beings.