“Every man has inside himself a parasitic being who is acting not at all to his advantage.” -William S. Burroughs
UPDATE 6-27-2013: Word is… Kevin has made his way to a detox center! I truly wish him all the best.
UPDATE 10-14-2013: I was told that Kevin overdosed in a Heroin house over on the West side. A tragic ending. Kevin was a good person. I wish I could have done more. May you rest in peace…
UPDATE 3-20-2014
Chicago heroin addict’s descent into hell
Photographer Chuck Jines has spent the past year documenting the human cost of Chicago’s worsening heroin crisis.
In the heart of the city’s bustling downtown – in an underpass close to the Chicago River – he met and photographed an addict called Kevin.
Addicted at first to pain medication, Kevin moved on to other illegal drugs and saw his life fall apart as his habit cost him his business, his home and finally his family.
He has not been seen or heard from since he gave this interview.
Chuck Jines worked with the BBC’s Ian Pannell on his investigation into the heroin epidemic in Chicago.