Person of the Week

By Amanda Spears

Reporter

Mason Sharp, 31

When I reached out to Mason to let him nnow he was chosen for person of the week, his response was, "No kidding - wow my name hasn't been in the paper since I quit making really bad decisions. This is great."

Q:) Where did you grow up?

A:) Right here in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

Q:) What is one of your fondest childhood memories?

A:) Eating out at grandma Sharp's house.

Q:) What did you want to be as a kid? What did you actually become?

A:) I wanted to be a professional football player, but I went to work as a painter. Shortly after that, my life took a turn and I started down the wrong path and got strung out on drugs. Now I am proud to say that I am a substance abuse counselor at Buffalo Valley, Inc. I also run a peer mentor program here.

Q:) Who was/is your biggest role model?

A:) My daddy, Ronald Sharp, and Coach Bobby Sharp.

Q:) What are some of your favorite hobbies/how do you like to spend your free time?

A:) I like to attend concerts. I also love to travel. I also enjoy playing golf.

Q:) If you could go anywhere, in or out of the states, where would it be? Why?

A:) I would like to visit Iceland because I think the scenery would be absolutely beautiful to see.

Q:) What is one of your favorite songs?

A:) Fade to Black by Metallica.

Q:) What is one of your favorite things about living in Hohenwald?

A:) Oh, the people definitely.The good outweighs the bad. Also we have a wonderful recovery environment.

Q:) What skill would you like to master? Why?

A:) I would love to be able to reach the younger generation that are headed down the wrong road at such a young age.

Q:) Is there any life advice you could give to our readers?

A:) Life is too short to hang on to anger and resentment, let's be more forgiving and realize we all make mistakes.

Q:) Is there anything you would like to add that my questions may not have touched on?

A:) I think it's important for young people who are experimenting with drugs to know that it's not like it used to be. You don't get as many chances as the generation before you. You will die sooner rather than later, also there is no shame in being an addict. Do you know the definition of addiction? Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment and the individual's life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases. If you can relate to this definition, reach out to me. Let's talk, I'm not here preach to you. I'm not here to tell you what you need to do or should do. I just want to give you my experience. It's the most unnatural thing in the world to see a young healthy body in a casket. You don't have to be the next one, please reach out.