Ellen Hopkins is a YA author who has written several books, in verse, detailing many dangerous situations that can face teens today. Drugs, pregnancy, molestation, prostitution, and other unsavory events. Her book Crank, which I have on hold at the library, is semi-autobiographical story about a girl who becomes addicted to crystal meth and is loosely based on her own daughter's addiction.
Hopkins had planned to visit a middle school in Oklahoma, when a parent challenged the book and her visit was cancelled. (it was later scheduled at an off campus venue) Additional, her books were pulled from the library shelves. She details her story on her livejournal page. So she wrote a poem about censorship.
Banned Book Week has adopted Ellen Hopkins' poem "Manifesto" as it's own. You can read it on their website.
I have been sober for almost six years thanks to the fellowship of A.A., sponsor, 12-steps, and a God of my understanding. I was a "high functioning alcoholic" who was beginning to lose my grasp on the operating aspect. Even So, it was very hard for me to acknowledge I was alcoholic because I had sustained the same line of work for over five years, was wedded, possessed a home, had good apparel, etc. Once I began to attend A.A. meetings, I encountered others who drank exactly like me, felt like me, and survived like me. That power to connect and identify is what began me on the route to a day-by-day recovery. I never imagined I could experience my life without alcohol. Now I am so grateful to wake up and know what came about the night before, not be heavy with remorse or regret, and feel physically good.