Project Description
Jared Klickstein
College is an exciting time for young people. But it also can come with dangerous temptations.The allure of experimenting with substances might seem harmless at first, but the consequences can be life-altering—or even fatal.
In the midst of an escalating overdose crisis, Jared Klickstein, author of Crooked Smile, reveals a powerful and heart-wrenching journey through addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and ultimately, redemption.His firsthand account sheds light on the harsh realities of drug abuse and provides critical insights into the changes needed in public policy to reduce suffering and save lives.Klickstein’s story begins like so many others: a college student in the early days of the opioid epidemic, convinced he could handle trying oxycontin without consequence. But by his junior year, he found himself deep in the grip of heroin addiction. His path spiraled into dropping out of school, living on the streets, and eventually facing a prison sentence. His story is one of struggle, violence, and the daily fight for survival—experiencing what he calls “dying in slow motion.”
After finding sobriety in 2018, Klickstein penned Crooked Smile to educate and raise awareness about the devastating impact of drug experimentation and the urgent need for policy reform in tackling the opioid crisis, homelessness, and addiction.This isn’t just one man’s story. It’s the story of countless Americans struggling with addiction every day. It’s a call to action for all of us to learn, empathize, and be part of the solution.Bring Jared Klickstein to your event today to gain a deeper understanding of the reality faced by those who need help the most.
ABOUT JARED
Jared Klickstein was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1989 to heroin-addicted parents. He spent his teenage years outside of Oakland, California after being adopted by his aunt and uncle. He attended UC Santa Cruz where he got addicted to heroin himself, dropped out, and spent nearly ten years chronically homeless and addicted. After a notorious run-on Skid Row in Los Angeles and a subsequent jail sentence, he sobered up in 2018, wrote his book, and currently resides in Oakland, California. He works as an independent journalist. His stories have been featured in Newsweek and The New York Post. His book was recently reviewed in The Wall Street Journal. He’s been a poignant guest on many shows as Inside Edition, The Dr. Drew Podcast, and The Adam Carolla Show.
