My name is Patrick Clarke. I'm 31 years of age, and from the town of Coatbridge. I'm the oldest of 5. I was never any good at school. When people tell you that you're no good at things and you're worthless, you end up believing it.
At the age of 14/15, my mates were leaving school. They were prospering. I started to sell a bit of hash. Selling drugs shaped my whole life.
By the age of 16/17 I was selling ecstasy, speed, acid, hash and cocaine. I thought I'd made it in the drug scene. I had a car and jewellery
I always said I'd never touch smack, but one day when I was 17 I came back from a rave and started using heroin. I was a heroin addict by the age of 19.
My daughter Zoe was born when I was 21. She's 10 now.
At 21 I went into a secular rehab. I lasted 3 months then I left. I went out and bought a bottle of wine straight away and within a week I was using heroin again. I just couldn't break the cycle.
I did some short jail sentences. The doctors put me on methadone and valium. They said I'd always be on something. I didn't have any hope in life. No future
I came into The Haven in February 2006 and it's the best thing I've ever done in my life.
I've got a new life now in God. God's got my future and its an exciting life. I go out to the Teen Challenge 'coffee bar' buses on a Wednesday and a Friday night. I tell people about Jesus. I go into schools representing Teen Challenge. I'm in training just now to get back into work.
I'm giving you this testimony to give you a wee bit of hope
PS: My relationship with my daughter is totally restored!