Mark Johnson appeared on ITV’s This Morning programme in 2007 when his book Wasted was first published in hardback.
Watch the interview, in which Mark discusses his former life of drugs and crime, and how he turned it around:
Part two of the interview:
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Nice one Mark! I just finished reading ‘Wasted’ and wanted to thank you. There are many similarities between you and me. I am an ex homeless junkie and you are a great inspiration to me. I hope that I go on to become as healthy and productive as you are. Thanks again, onwards and upwards!!!
Thank you for your article. It should have been front page next to Sean Mercer’s pic today.
I’m a comfortably off pensioner with a comfortable life behind her, but life in a Nottingham primary school, listening to my 21-year-old son and paying attention, has shown me how little understanding there is of how fortune deals very different circumstances to different people and how much this determines what choices we have.
Mark
Your articles in the Guardian Society are inspiring. I am a training social worker and I have much the same opinion as you on how things need to change for young offenders- 22 years in prison for a 16 year old is not the answer, it will probably only serve to turn him into a hardened criminal for life.
I am looking forward to buying & reading your book & wish you all the very best for the future & pray you reach many many young people who have had the rough start you have in life & help them to turn it around as you have- well done!
Emma
Hi mark,
i’ve just finished reading your book and i couldn’t put it down!!a friend of mine gave it to me to read as i was a heroin addict for 7 years, started when i was 16 and didn’t have a clue about drugs, met a guy older than me and he introdused to it,
i was beaten up by him on a regular basis and was made to steal, i didn’t think there would ever be a day when i was free from it, i started the methadone and its been 6 years now i’ve been clean,
YOU are an inspiration to all those who are going through what you have and and think that they can’t get free from heroin, i am a single parent now and am trying to get into drug counselling but have no clue where to start,i tryed going to my old drug clinic but they are no longer there.
Anyway keep up the good work, be happy an healthy
well done! vicki x
I’ve just seen your interview with Fern & Philip and I was very moved by your story and how you’ve turned your life around! I was searching the NACRO sites for information about volunteering to work with ex-offenders and that’s how I came across your web page. I will buy your book this week as I look forward to finding out more about how you’ve managed to change your life for the better. You have inspired me to give help and support to other young people in need of a second chance. Your life story is an inspiration to other young people who have fallen through the net.
I wish you every happiness and succes in your new life!
Ann
x
I have just read Wasted & felt so sad & involved in it even though i am an older woman with a loving family background myself & have given my children a loving and supportive life.It is such a pity that all children are not given the start in life they deserve and need .Throughout the book i was hoping you could resist that next hit from the next drugs you so needed and just had to have.I will never fully understand the life of a drug addict but your story has given me a different perspective. I was so happy when you managed to complete rehab & think you have achieved so much after reaching rock bottom.I wish you luck in the future & hope that many people in your situation will find inspiration & hope from your story.
Hi Mark. Congratulations on your achievements. You must be very proud to have come through the life you were leading to where you are at now. It is fantastic to see someone like yourself employing ex-offenders and giving them a chance they often are not given by society.
I am a manager of three rural substitute prescribing clinics in the North f England, working for a well known charity. I am looking forward to seeing the probation programme being rolled out and seeing more people like yourself be given a proper chance at life after all the rubbish they have been through just to stay alive and survive.
Hopefully, in the future, i may see you at some conference or other and get to shake your hand. Your book is brilliant – a vey honest, open and factual account of your life. It made me both laugh and cry. keep up the good work.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Nice one Mark! I just finished reading ‘Wasted’ and wanted to thank you. There are many similarities between you and me. I am an ex homeless junkie and you are a great inspiration to me. I hope that I go on to become as healthy and productive as you are. Thanks again, onwards and upwards!!!
Rob
December 17th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your article. It should have been front page next to Sean Mercer’s pic today.
I’m a comfortably off pensioner with a comfortable life behind her, but life in a Nottingham primary school, listening to my 21-year-old son and paying attention, has shown me how little understanding there is of how fortune deals very different circumstances to different people and how much this determines what choices we have.
Keep talking to us.
Yours, Hendrika
December 29th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Mark
Your articles in the Guardian Society are inspiring. I am a training social worker and I have much the same opinion as you on how things need to change for young offenders- 22 years in prison for a 16 year old is not the answer, it will probably only serve to turn him into a hardened criminal for life.
I am looking forward to buying & reading your book & wish you all the very best for the future & pray you reach many many young people who have had the rough start you have in life & help them to turn it around as you have- well done!
Emma
February 13th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Hi mark,
i’ve just finished reading your book and i couldn’t put it down!!a friend of mine gave it to me to read as i was a heroin addict for 7 years, started when i was 16 and didn’t have a clue about drugs, met a guy older than me and he introdused to it,
i was beaten up by him on a regular basis and was made to steal, i didn’t think there would ever be a day when i was free from it, i started the methadone and its been 6 years now i’ve been clean,
YOU are an inspiration to all those who are going through what you have and and think that they can’t get free from heroin, i am a single parent now and am trying to get into drug counselling but have no clue where to start,i tryed going to my old drug clinic but they are no longer there.
Anyway keep up the good work, be happy an healthy
well done! vicki x
February 24th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Dear Mark,
I’ve just seen your interview with Fern & Philip and I was very moved by your story and how you’ve turned your life around! I was searching the NACRO sites for information about volunteering to work with ex-offenders and that’s how I came across your web page. I will buy your book this week as I look forward to finding out more about how you’ve managed to change your life for the better. You have inspired me to give help and support to other young people in need of a second chance. Your life story is an inspiration to other young people who have fallen through the net.
I wish you every happiness and succes in your new life!
Ann
x
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Great book Mark! I have a friend who has been an addict for years.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I have just read Wasted & felt so sad & involved in it even though i am an older woman with a loving family background myself & have given my children a loving and supportive life.It is such a pity that all children are not given the start in life they deserve and need .Throughout the book i was hoping you could resist that next hit from the next drugs you so needed and just had to have.I will never fully understand the life of a drug addict but your story has given me a different perspective. I was so happy when you managed to complete rehab & think you have achieved so much after reaching rock bottom.I wish you luck in the future & hope that many people in your situation will find inspiration & hope from your story.
March 8th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Hi Mark. Congratulations on your achievements. You must be very proud to have come through the life you were leading to where you are at now. It is fantastic to see someone like yourself employing ex-offenders and giving them a chance they often are not given by society.
I am a manager of three rural substitute prescribing clinics in the North f England, working for a well known charity. I am looking forward to seeing the probation programme being rolled out and seeing more people like yourself be given a proper chance at life after all the rubbish they have been through just to stay alive and survive.
Hopefully, in the future, i may see you at some conference or other and get to shake your hand. Your book is brilliant – a vey honest, open and factual account of your life. It made me both laugh and cry. keep up the good work.