High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell

Older Comments on High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell

• Posted 02/26/11 by mike
  rehabs are one large con game and the addicts know it, they play the system, who plays the taxpayers for a free ride. everyone feels entitlements are a right, until the money runs dry and governments cut out all programs to the poor.
• Posted 02/13/11 by ReasonableGuy
  Saw "The Fighter" last night. Watched this tonight. How incredibly painful to see people so destroyed by drug addiction. It was a shame there was not some way for Boo Boo to get a license and continue on with his doughnut delivery job. -------- Jay - I'm only 10 years younger than you. I'm white. My last ancestor to immigrate to the US did so in the 1820s. Your analysis of this country's problems is simple, racist, and complete bull crap.
• Posted 02/11/11 by Aaron
  These people are mild crack users, compared to real crackheads.
• Posted 02/10/11 by Jay
  Wow the replies just answered my question on why we have a Non-American Muslim president. I'm 67 years old not 5 and back in my day America was perfect. Races had their own water, bathroom, schools and so fourth. Now with us all together America has gone down hill in education, jobs, and rights. America was great before civil right and civil rights was the down fall of America and our people. This is Fact! SavannahRose: Really the CIA made crack? Whats next 911 was an inside job? Move along with you conspiracy stories. republicankiller: Come to Post Falls, ID I'll be glad to introduce you to our NRA card holders. Al Southers: Fact, Blacks are holding this country back with their education and crimes. The light does not shine on us because its rare and our stories are so strong it becomes a movie. Look how Obama brought down our economy, he started a recession. Chris: And most Drug dealers are what? Black and Mexican! Fact, look who is filling the prisons. Now I have been all over this great country and any place where blacks are, I see a shattered community like New Orleans. Here in Post Falls their are only 35 blacks and we are rated one of the best towns in the USA because we keep a close eye on them. We have low crime, low taxes, and high home prices, and don't let the Mexicans know we have jobs that we get first. The truth hurts but you have to learn. I stand by my first comment.
• Posted 02/09/11 by Gabby
  I wanted to watch this because I saw The Fighter twice recently and was curious. I'm glad I got to compare Dicky to Christian Bale's portrayal. This was depressing for me to watch. Brenda seemed very up and down with everything she said, and there were times when I thought she could improve. I also read that Brenda died 6 months later, but I'm sure if that's true. I wish they found her so we could see how she turned out as a mother.
• Posted 02/07/11 by SavannahRose
  Jay ... read up on your history. It was the CIA who created and introduced CRACK into american society. Pretty sure there were no blacks in the CIA during the 50s.
• Posted 02/07/11 by republicankiller
  message for JAY, @ JAY, HEY are you mentally retarded or 5 years old?? because your comment on here makes no sense and it sounds like a 4 year old wrote it!! If what you say is true, it means that white people are soooo dumb, they got tricked or fooled into smoking crack. you are saying that whites are not as smart as black people or that whites are so WEAK they get told what to do by blacks!!! is it the blacks fault that you are dumb and will never have a college degree??? You are dumber than the whites that got tricked into smoking crack and loosing all their teeth. At least you admit that blacks are smarter than your stupid honky looser ###!! if i ever seen you, i'd straight BEAT your hating racist ##### ###!!!! ##### #####!!!! GO KICK IT WITH SARAH PALIN'S #### ###!!!!
• Posted 02/07/11 by Al Southers
  First of all, this movie really touched me in so many ways. It really highlighted the dangers of drugs and its impact. Second, I thought the documentary deglamorized drugs. Americans have built this image of drugs as a miracle worker that makes one feel great without consequences-completely the contrary. This message is for Jay: You're a douche bag!!! Yes, crack did impact the African-American community severely; however, the affects on the white community has never been portrayed by the media or social science research compared to blacks. Its ignorant and trivial comments, such as yours, that will hold our country back from making real progress.
• Posted 02/03/11 by Chris
  To Jay you are wrong... It isnt the blacks fault, did you see one black person in that video? its the drug dealers fault they have no certain color..
• Posted 02/03/11 by rb
  I urge everyone who knows a drug dealer to make an annonymous call to the cops and turn in your local drug dealers. These are pathetic people and are killing our loved ones.
• Posted 02/03/11 by rb
  What's wrong with the police in Lowell. Why are there so many DRUG DEALERS. Put the donute down and clean-out the drug houses. Make it tough for the drug dealers.... They make fortunes on everyones misfortunes.
• Posted 02/02/11 by me2
  I was 23 years old when this film was made and just a few towns over, commuting to Boston for a dead end airport driver job, when I fell in with the same crowd of people. So this was very tough to watch. I did crack for 3 months with my mother's bfriend and his gang. I realized I was in trouble moved across the country and have only done it once since, years ago when it was unexpectedly put in front of me. As soon as I hit it, every thought turned to how I could get more. I fled those people and never looked back. There are some things in life that live up to the anti-drug hype. Crack is one. You are hooked from the very first moment, and it takes a supreme act of will as well as a little luck and the ability to change your surroundings in order to stop. And the longer you go for, the harder it gets. One last note: I was having a hard time understanding why people so many ppl in Mass were still dressing like that until I realized it wasn't filmed recently. Seriously, it's the kind of place where you might find some vintage styles that never got changed. I was 13th generation from my town, but I'm so glad I left.
• Posted 02/02/11 by brooklyn
  I grewed up in the inner city of Brooklyn, New York and when I was younger I use to think that the crack epidemic was only in the inner cities. But I had so many friends that used to sell drugs back in the 1980's all over America in towns like this.This documentary is very sad.It is especially real sad what happen to Brenda. One more thing some people may think that Dickie mother is an enabler, and she probably is, but when you love your kids and you want the best for them, it is probably hard for her to see her son living on drugs. So I don't considered her an enabler it is just a testament of a mother's love for her child.
• Posted 02/02/11 by dondownriver
  This town sounds and looks just like detroit, there a website deadacated to the rise and fall of Detroit in the same mannor go to www dot detroitiscrap dot com simular story simular results
• Posted 02/01/11 by david marsh
  I barfed in my mouth..grosses film i have ever been riveted too..I hate what drugs do to good people...WTF
• Posted 02/01/11 by anonmous
  I grew up in this town and until crack entered it was a middle and working class town. Crack and heroin changed the landscape so much. Businesses fled, homeowners fled, renters fled, to escape the new landscape of gangs, heroin and crack dealing and gun sales. I can't blame anyone in fact I joined them and fled as well. I have lost SO many people I attended Lowell High School with to drugs. Some of these kids were on the honor roll and grew up in fairly stable homes. We need more drug education programs in our schools and we need to teach kids selling drugs is a sure way to live fast and hard and die young or in a wheelchair. Education is the only way out. RIP Sonia, Shawn, Kim S, Kim R, Bob G, Albert J, Kelly S, Chrissy L, Cherry O. Jerry N., Emil H., Mike C. Paula A. ect...... As one of you stated to me " I haven't lived a clean life but I did the best with what I had at the time as a 14 year old run away." Peace
• Posted 01/31/11 by Jay
  Its all the blacks fault for inventing and selling this drug to us. We need to kick all these thugs out of our towns. This documentary shows what the blacks did to this once great race with their rap, drugs, and money.
• Posted 01/30/11 by Karen
  I'm so sorry to read here what happened to Brenda. She seemed like a very insightful, intelligent woman. I'm really sad she couldn't move past the drugs.
• Posted 01/29/11 by Vassilis
  Very sad, grew up and live in Lowell up to 1984...had friends who died in the same way of addiction too..very depressing story...and the true always there and it hurts...
• Posted 01/28/11 by MOLLY PLANAKIS
  GOOD ACCOUNT THE LIFE STYLE. I NEVER USED DRUGS BUT GREW UP WITH THOSE THAT DID. AND NOW I'M SURROUNDED BY THOSE WHO TRAFFIC. ONE WORD LORD GOD POACH-TO HUNT OR CATCH(GAME OR FISH) ILLEGALLY. PNEUMONIA-...VIRUSES. POINT PNEUMATIC-FILLED WITH ORWORKED BY COM-PRESSED AIR. MOLLY PLANAKIS
• Posted 01/27/11 by Zach
  Janet from another planet!!!!!! Great documentary. The Fighter is also a great movie. And Micky Ward is a great fighter.
• Posted 01/26/11 by Kate
  Wow, after watching this it makes me want to go and see the fighter. This is a film that should be shown in class when they are teaching about drug addiction. It is honest and real and as in your face as it can be, and for that reason alone it would make a good drug prevention tool. To sit and watch how their lives went down the drain in 18 months is a good way to show the effects of trying drugs and thinking that they can handle it. No one can handle it that is one of the reasons it is so bad for you. I agree that something should be done with addicts that become pregnant. Once it is known that they are pregnant they need to be forced into detox for the child's protection. We are the ones who will be supporting that child as it grows. Because that child is born an addict. I know that it is against our rights to force someone to get clean and be healthy for the sake of a child. But sometimes these rights are not always good for another person who can not stand up and ask for his or she rights to be protected. It is good and fine for the mother but who cares for the baby that is born addicted. They need protection too. If she wanted to have an abortion that is her right. But it is not her right to force drugs on her unborn child! That is the one who needs protection.
• Posted 01/25/11 by Boo
  I mean she may work the streets,and everything but she love's me I love her.I mean is the bay Michaels or Boos.She can't leave us hanging like this.
• Posted 01/25/11 by Jon
  Considering this was made in 1995 I would like to see what Brenda's baby turned out like.She would be about 16 this year
• Posted 01/23/11 by King
  This is a really touching movie,with this I understand how hookers and drug addicts are and how complicated their lives can be,I pity them,I just hope that boxer guy gets out and lives with his son without doing drugs,and Hope god blesses all of them and gets them rid off their addictions
• Posted 01/23/11 by RB
  Wow, what a powerful film. Would also like to see a followup. Did Brenda have the baby? Evidence that, as a nation, we should protect our young from ever using drugs. More drug education in school and more available drug rehabilition in our communities. Every adult, please make an impact on our children, try to reach every child you know, make them aware of the devistating path that drugs will take them on. Words and conviction from an adult can have an impact on a young mind. Makes me want to get involved in drug prevention. Oh, and could please arrest the drug dealers!
• Posted 01/23/11 by Karen
  Sad - the story about Brenda really got to me. Angered me that she continued to use while pregnant and really angered me that the doctors told her she could get an abortion at 5 months. I've always been prochoice until now, seeing this. If you're pregnant and using drugs I think they should lock you up in prison until the baby is born - the only way some people have been able to get clean. These poor crack babies have no rights - very sad.
• Posted 01/23/11 by Jon
  Really have to give the film maker props for they had to endure a lot of #### to record this.As well it appears they were involved with a theft at that store when boo ran out with the golf clubs.Crack is disgusting drug that completely changes someone from first hit.One can only hope that these folks were able to beat their addiction.I would love to see a follow up,and see where they all are today.
• Posted 01/22/11 by kstax
  crack is a way of life now; as common as candy to a child. we have our government to thank for that with all of our war on drugs efforts completely negated when they are the main suppliers of all drugs to communities. although thee addicts are in extreme positions of misfortune, i feel no sympathy for them every man and women is responsible for his/her own actions. I say this coming from a well established drug area of los angeles,ca and have never used a drug a day in my life. mental toughness and higher moral standards should be applied when tempted by such elements of life. Remember live above the influence and dont allow the influence to be your life. k-$tax
• Posted 01/17/11 by dan
  Very intense and very real. I have known a lot of folks with this particular drug problem, some even have families. This documentary was very well made. The viewer really feel sympathy for the three protagonists Boo Boo, Brenda, and Dickie
• Posted 01/15/11 by Shon
  I saw the movie "The Fighter" yesterday. Bale's portrayal of Eklund is nothing short of amazing. Definitely worthy of the Oscar buzz that he's receiving. Before the film I'd never heard of Eklund or Ward. I grew up watching Sugar Ray Leonard fight but was not familiar with the tale of these two brothers. Since watching the film I've been researching the net trying to find out as much as I can about their story. Just finished watching this documentary. Although I found it to be real and in your face, especially for 1993, I was a bit disappointed that hardly any of the footage covered Dicky. Saw a recent clip of him alongside Bale at the movie's premiere and found him to be just as intriguing and charismatic as was portrayed in the film.
• Posted 01/12/11 by amenda12qw
  sally you konw
• Posted 01/11/11 by Carl Hendershot
  What a way to end this. What in the hell came of Brenda and the baby? Left me in a state of Operation Shock and Aww WTF. Does anyone know if there is another DOCU with a good outcome? Boo dead? Dickie out? Brenda good? Ugggs. Very disturbing for any audience.
• Posted 01/09/11 by DonnieC
  I watched The fighter today, and worked out half way through it was set on this Docu, as i watched it a few yrs ago. I don't believe any of these to be bad people, just went down the wrong route, maybe it was right for them. I thought The Fighter took a while to get going, but was worth the wait as built up to an excellent movie.
• Posted 01/09/11 by amanda
  Boo Boo is still alive and was supposed to be in the bar scene where micky first meets Amy Adam's character (charlene), but he showed up to the set drunk and accidentally poked her in the eye. For some reason the waste of life is still alive even with the HIV virus.
• Posted 01/05/11 by Tracy
  I found this after watching The Fighter, what a sad, sad documentary. Hayden I wish you all the best in trying to beat your addiction.
• Posted 01/03/11 by leroysdad
  Brenda died from an overdose around the release of the movie. anyone who followed mickey wards career new about this documentary and Dicky so i am sure the producers saw this. great documentary and its great that Lowell has really turned around.
• Posted 01/03/11 by cap
  I know Dickie is in the documentary but I wonder if the people that made the film saw the documentary and that is why they decided to do the film.
• Posted 01/03/11 by independent
  Great film. Anyone know what happened to Brenda?
• Posted 01/03/11 by a
  yes, Dicky Eklund in this is the same person that the movie The Fighter is about.
• Posted 01/02/11 by cap
  I wonder if there is a connection between the movie the fighter and this documentary. Watching this made me like the movie even more. A sad way to live
• Posted 01/02/11 by Hayden
  This movie is shocking but the best movie i've seen on how crack as affected white areas . I,ve been smoking crack and brown for 5 years off and on and after seeing this and refecting on my life im going to try much harder to beat the habit ...
• Posted 12/29/10 by shawnA
  You have to realize this was filmed in 1993. Brenda was eventually found - in a dumpster, dead of an overdose. Her parents are raising her daughter. Such a very sad situation. They are among the loveliest, warmest, funniest people you'd ever want to meet.
• Posted 12/28/10 by Kaz
  I know a good dentist that some of these people my need!
• Posted 12/22/10 by JF
  I am speechless. This town was once a thriving wonderful place. It is so sad what poverty and drugs have done to this and so many other sities. My heart broke for Dickie;s boy. It just keeps repeating and repeating.
• Posted 12/22/10 by 1234
  To SM and Staci2112 Yes, that is Micky and Dickie in the foreground, but the guy who comes in behind them and sticks his dentures out, is Boo Boo.
• Posted 12/21/10 by SM
  i don't mean to beat a dead horse, but at the end of the movie, during the credits, 100% that was Micky and his brother Dicki. The movie was about them, not boo boo. Makes no sense for boo boo to be there. And look at their faces.
• Posted 12/19/10 by ME
  The Fighter is an awesome movie..........THAT WAS THE REAL BOO BOO AT THE END OF THE MOVIE....know your characters!!!
• Posted 12/19/10 by jon
  nick...you are so wrong...that was the real life boo boo at the end...
• Posted 12/19/10 by staci2112
  To Nick, that wasn't Boo Boo at the end of the Fighter, it was Dickie and Micky. :) Great movie!
• Posted 12/15/10 by kwitcherbellyakin
  Real life in the day of an addict. I know a high school chum who had a saline abortion and her son is now nearing 40 years old. Babies are saved with severe developmental problems the age Brenda's baby was induced... which is what a saline procedure is,an induction; forced labor. I thank Yeshua and our Lord every day I have not used in 22 years. Grateful I never got into freebase, crack or meth as I would have been just as lost. I agree about Dickie's mother as enabler but people with a lot worse have done a lot better. Too bad Gary (Boo Boo) couldn't have found other work at the bakery until he could have gotten a provisional driver's license. The Serotonin brain drain Brenda mentioned is probably why she had those screaming fits. All of us have a brain pharmacy which meth especialy dumps all the pleasure center drugs. So after the dump, a baby's cry, a door bell or phone ring alone sends people over the edge. The town of Lowell looks like a rust belt town, but again there are many desolate places where people manage to live lives with joy. So, take this well made & presented documentary as a warning. Not just to stay away from this yourself, but if anyone around you is into this mess,you may find your golf clubs missing and your life upside down too. Peace out.
• Posted 12/10/10 by Nick
  i was shocked to see Boo boo at the end of The Fighter. i think it was like 1994 when he was diagnosed with AIDS. didnt think the life expectancy was more than a handful of years back then.. The Fighter was pretty awesome but most of what they showed from the documentary either isn't in there or was greatly exaggerated. oh wells...
• Posted 12/09/10 by karen
  very disturbing and depressing. They are not drug addicts because the mills closed either. Dickie's mom seems to be a classic enabler. God help the baby
• Posted 11/18/10 by vicky
  one of the most disturbibg, disgusting facts of life. brenda's baby should have been taken away! They should all rot in hell