ATASCADERO, Calif.- A former gang member speaks to Central Coast News about how his drug addiction almost killed him, until he went to one local recovery house.
Last year nearly 90 gang members were arrested in San Luis Obispo County and in 2011 that number was more than 100, according to the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Gang Task Force Unit.
"I probably made about 10,000 dollars a week at one point, and most of it went back in my arm," said Eric Palmer, a former gang member.
Eric Palmer is a former gang member who was addicted to heroine for more than a decade.
"In 2003 I was picked up for possession of sales, battery on an officer and 7 counts of armed robbery," said Palmer.
In and out of jail since he was 16 years old, it was awake up call when Palmer's addiction nearly killed him.
"I woke up with the paramedics coming in and the whole bed, wall and everything drenched in blood, which I had aspirated on when I was passed out, and my liver failed and everything else just went south from there," explained Palmer.
When Central Coast News asked Palmer about his former gang life he responded, "I cannot comment on that," because of the fear he may be targeted.
It was at the Gryphon House in Atascadero where Palmer met Bull Chaney and turned his life around.
"Probably saved my life to come here because I basically switched to opium to alcohol and I was drinking myself to death," said Palmer.
Chaney is the president of the Gryphon House, which helps former criminals, like Palmer, sober and clean up.
"I never seen so many guys with such gratitude for everything and notice all the small things," said Bull Chaney, President of the Gryphon House.
There are seven Gryphon Houses on the Central Coast and the facility helps more than 500 people a year.
