Sources linked here: https://sfstandard.com/public-health/thrasher-owner-reveals-why-skating-legends-killer-was-kept-secret/ , https://sfstandard.com/public-health/the-killer-of-a-skateboarding-legend-went-unnamed-for-years-could-deaths-have-been-prevented/
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If you or anyone you know needs help with substance abuse reach out to professional skateboarder Brandon Turner at Healthy Life Recovery: https://healthyliferecovery.com/staying-active-in-recovery/
I try to keep comments like this one out of skateboarding but….
The reason why this happens, is because those who run your country are organised criminals masquerading as a government.
All these problems you talk off, solely exist by the existence of “government”
Look to where the fentanyl comes from, where it’s allowed to openly pass your southern border.
I know from watching your videos that the areas you are in are some of the most degraded cities in the US. This has been done deliberately. You’ve been destroyed from within. We all have. But those once great cities you live in. Have been systematically destroyed by your “government “ that have gone unchecked and unstopped for decades. This is true of my own country op, and all western governments.
Anyway. I love your content.
Test your drugs. It's a safer bet, invest in those reagent tests. Beyond that there's not much worse than alcohol or tobacco. To each their own what one chooses to put in their body. Canada is doing better regarding legislation. Places like the UK is still terribly backdated. Anyone struggling check out a book called 'Chasing the Scream. Great great insights.
I’m so glad you talked about this. Substance abuse and dependency is so common, specially in the skate community. I am therapist/assessor at substance abuse treatment center for adolescents in Texas, who is also a skater. Skating aside, I have heard of so many overdoses on Fentanyl, specially from it being used to cut other substances, most commonly seen in Percocet. The lack of control teens have over this substance is overwhelming, just last week I heard of 7 deaths due to ODs. There should be a stronger platform for communication out in the community about all of this, from psycho-education to therapy availability.
Good stuff. Kudos for taking on a tough subject..
I lived in SF for 20 years and Jake and I almost got in a bar fight once because of my dog. He used to come to the bar I worked at and we kinda made up. Years later I’m working on Haight St. and Jake walks by and sees my in the shop. He walks up to the door like he’s coming in to talk to me and then turned and walked away last second. I’ve always wondered what he was going to say to me. He died a few days later
A very sad reality in the skateboarding world. I just recently started skating again and addiction is what tore me away from skating the first time. These companies promote substance abuse and its sad as hell. Thankfully I got away from addiction 11 years ago and I'm glad to be skating again. I just hope I can get to the skill level I used to be. Only a month back skating but so happy to be back and share my experience to the younger generations. Am actually debating on starting a youtube showing my progress and traveling to different parks as well as give out skateboards to the skaters of the parks like Braille does. We've lost some of the best skaters in the world to substance abuse. I sadly know the reality of going blind for 45 minutes and multiple black outs while using, I'd never wish substance abuse on my worst enemy. Props to you Zack for speaking about the truth that's killing our skaters.
Harm reduction works for some ex addicts- smoke a haybail of weed just PLEASE no hard stuff fellas. Coffee ☕️ and Reefer are so strong today, there’s no need for anything stronger. Sobriety is best, but statistically very few of us are sober, straight edge, etc.
Thrasher was cool when it was a rag. It’s been a joke for like 30 years now. As a lifelong skateboarder I’m embarrassed by the brand. And thats all it is now, a merchandise brand. Wake up peeps.
Lost a friend as well. Cocaine is more deadly then it ever was.
Good work.
thank you for being so honest about all of this. I used to want to ignore it, let people sort out their own issues, but then it just gets worse.
Cigarettes have killed more people than anything else on earth
It really bothered me to see how unwilling people were to talk about this "out of respect", so finally hearing this made me pretty emotional. Skateboarding has always been an escape from addiction and other hardships for so many, so why is this discussion still so stigmatized within our community? I know people just want to grieve, but this is a problem that is only getting worse. I hope more people start to understand that saying nothing is just contributing to that.
A very non-judgemental way to discuss this with people is simply to remind them that life, like skating, requires balance. Most humans have some kind of vice, a way to temporarily distance ourselves from the daily stresses of life, and becoming overly attached to any kind of vice brings inherent dangers. Becoming overly invested/attached to our daily lives also has its dangers. Inspiring people to find and keep this balance is a good way to open a conversation that may eventually lead to healthy questions about what roles the vices in their lives are playing, and how to set boundaries with the various elements in our lives: people, vices, goals, routine, escape, etc.
solid
Ive been clean 14 months from everything, I overdosed 11 times on Fentanyl and have lost all my friends to drugs and came here to Cali and turned my life around after being homeless for 8 years, the only way people will get clean is if they want it, skateboarding has help keep me from going back to prison and using drugs again, if you know someone in pain I pray for you and that person, god bless.
There’s been kid’s at the skate park I have heard say “that guy looks like he wouldn’t buy us beer” they were correct.
Thank you for making this video. The generation of skates before your generation had the same challenges with substance abuse. Think of all the pain and suffering Hosoi, Jay Adams, Gator the majority of skaters from the eighties for that matter endured. For what? So the next generation to repeat the same cycle of pain and regret. I would like to see a video of skaters that made it to the other side and hear their perspectives.
Thanks so much for this awareness.
Sometimes you have to stay away from people that want to influence or enable, be it family or friends. Something does need to change, and it can be as simple as being that person at the park that doesn't smoke or drink.
Kids seeing someone ripping around a park and not having to have a smoke break or pound a beer before or after skating makes a HUGE impact, especially to the younger generation. Skate Parks should not be a drug hang out, period.
Super good video! I’m not on the blue pills or heroin but I definitely drink too much and have lost people to excessive drinking and even being so faded they got run over by cars.
✊🏼
I love that we have a skater who talks about healthy lifestyles in a way that makes you feel motivated
You shouldnt be speaking on this subject.
I'm having a hard time focusing on the importance of the words when it cuts from you sitting to skating.
Massive respect for putting this out there tho. RIP Phelps and everyone else who lost the battle.
God bless bro, glad you're taking time to bring awareness to this.
Thanks zack. Need more skaters/youtuber talk about this heavy issues. Good bless!
The Secret Killing *Addicts
One of the biggest solutions is to decriminalize all that stuff. Because as it stands now, an addiction unassociated with any other criminal behavior, will still result in a criminal record. And it should be glaringly obvious by now that being illegal is NOT a persuading factor in people's decision regarding substance use.
If you ever want to bring on someone with experience in this part of skating. I’m coming up on 4 years clean and sober. And share my experience and what it took for me to get my life back.
I got clean 15 years ago. Nobody cares if you get over it either. Just have to do things for yourself. Also, never put anyone on a pedestal. They will always let you down. Men are all brothers under God. It's good to teach the younger bros by not hiding the truth.
What brand are those white Hi Tops?
https://youtu.be/qVYvGE94tyg
I believe it can bring bad luck to say bad things about a dead person when we dream we dream together ok thanks
I have the Jake Phelps issue still, with wrapper, RIP, he did so much for skateboarding man, damn :'(
Also used to do drugs, don't anymore, weed is legal where I live so I smoke weed yea but at least I won't do fent or coke or pills or anything, and I am over 21 so I guess it goes to show that it's good to have videos like this to reach out to people
skating helped me out of some dark times, but you have to push through it and become the person you want to be. overcoming substances was hard for me but I knew that by doing so I would be 10x happier with myself and my life. I have a fiance and I'm the happiest I've ever been. if you think you cant put down drugs or make something of yourself that is far from the truth, you just have to be honest with yourself and ask "what do I need to do in order to change". hearing about deaths related to drugs always breaks my heart but sometimes people just cant be helped or they need to find the willpower help themselves. my dad is a good example of this, but we are both 5 years sober now and pushing for 6.
Addiction is a mental health struggle. We have to embrace the motto, “It’s not weak to speak.” The more we talk about ALL mental health struggles in this community, the better we all can become.
In the future maybe it'd be a neat video to talk about "trendy" skateboarding and the flood of transition into non transition/street skate centered brands
This breaks my heart. 💔 I'm 55, but back when I was a teen I was a skater. I have also done mountain biking, rock climbing, urban exploring, hiking and so much more. At 2 years old I was run over by a bunch of boys on a toboggan sled, which caused me to have scoliosis in my upper spine and I get frequent migraine headaches. So I know how it is to be dealing with constant pain and having to take something to relieve that pain. So, all I can say to anyone that is dealing with pain, NO DRUG (even a prescription drug: Fentanyl and so many others) is worth your life. You all have a lot of people that love you and care about you and so do I. I do a lot of walking and getting exercise, which helps a lot. I also take Tylenol Arthritis when it gets bad enough, I've never taken drugs for it ever and never will. So if a Doctor tries to prescribe Fentanyl or anything like it, Just Say NO! Be Blessed my Friends.