My uncle was a heroin addict. About four years ago, my uncle died from a heroin overdose at the age of 43. He was a doctor, an avid mountain climber, and one of the kindest men I have ever met.

My uncle started smoking pot in the eighth grade. At the age of 19, he began trying Meth and continued using for three years. He later tried heroin and was addicted for five years before he finally went to get help.

My uncle went to rehab and was prescribed methadone (which is suppose to help you quit), which he took for two years. He was clean for a whole year before he relapsed. He called 911 twice the night he overdosed, but the second time he was not able to dial right and died.

Three days later, my uncle's work called my grandparents asking if they knew where he was. Not knowing, my Grandma went to look for him. She found him dead in his apartment. I was 12 years old and I lost my best friend.

My uncle was the one person I knew I could count on. After he passed, I felt lost. He was a huge influence on my life. He influenced me to become a doctor, to help people just as he had.

I am 16 now and I am devoting my life to finishing what he wasn't able too. I want to help others. I plan on finishing high school and becoming a doctor. Even traveling to less fortunate countries helping people who can't pay for treatment, just as my uncle had.

My uncle was amazing. His death impacted everyone he came in contact with. He is greatly missed and will always be my guardian angel! I love him more then anyone could imagine.