Former drug addict juggles up a script By Suruchi Sharma
Con-artists, ravers and Yardies are some of the people to be portrayed in a film charting part of the life of a former Borehamwood drug addict and gangster's runner.
Jason Cook, 32, began writing in prison about his experiences of drug use, two bouts of rehab and his time inside.
A account of his youth, called There's No Room for Jugglers in My Circus, published last year, delves into the criminal underworld of Borehamwood and is now being scripted into a film.
Mr Cook said: "My family moved to Borehamwood from Hackney when I was younger as my mum didn't want me to get into trouble there, but in a twist of fate I ended up going to prison by coming here."
He has been clean from drugs for about five years now and is getting involved with talking to people about the book and his experiences to help them with their own similar problems.
The script for the film is based on the first book as well as two unpublished books Mr Cook has written.
He said: "We don't have a finalised name for the film yet.
Mr Cook has also been working alongside organisations in the area on substance misuse awareness workshops, to educate young people and their parents about the perils and consequences of drug-taking.
Co-worker Heather Walsh said: "Jason is an absolutely brilliant person and it's unique for someone to come through what he has and then to help others. He helped with the recent youth graffiti project in Leeming Road and the Vibe youth project and received a lot of praise from the town council for his work with the Borehamwood and Elstree youth council.
"The subject of substance misuse is quite a taboo topic and so he is very brave to take this on.
"He is very ambitious and has been juggling a lot of things recently and always has the support of his family around him."
Mr Cook added: "I would love youth in the area to put their energies into something they really enjoy, like DJing, fashion or dance, and channelling their efforts into something worthwhile.
"There are still problems in Borehamwood concerning substance misuse, but if we work towards helping out people who get mixed up with drugs then that is at least a positive step forward.
© Copyright 2001-2015 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk
Con-artists, ravers and Yardies are some of the people to be portrayed in a film charting part of the life of a former Borehamwood drug addict and gangster's runner.
Jason Cook, 32, began writing in prison about his experiences of drug use, two bouts of rehab and his time inside.
A account of his youth, called There's No Room for Jugglers in My Circus, published last year, delves into the criminal underworld of Borehamwood and is now being scripted into a film.
Mr Cook said: "My family moved to Borehamwood from Hackney when I was younger as my mum didn't want me to get into trouble there, but in a twist of fate I ended up going to prison by coming here."
He has been clean from drugs for about five years now and is getting involved with talking to people about the book and his experiences to help them with their own similar problems.
The script for the film is based on the first book as well as two unpublished books Mr Cook has written.
He said: "We don't have a finalised name for the film yet.
Mr Cook has also been working alongside organisations in the area on substance misuse awareness workshops, to educate young people and their parents about the perils and consequences of drug-taking.
Co-worker Heather Walsh said: "Jason is an absolutely brilliant person and it's unique for someone to come through what he has and then to help others. He helped with the recent youth graffiti project in Leeming Road and the Vibe youth project and received a lot of praise from the town council for his work with the Borehamwood and Elstree youth council.
"The subject of substance misuse is quite a taboo topic and so he is very brave to take this on.
"He is very ambitious and has been juggling a lot of things recently and always has the support of his family around him."
Mr Cook added: "I would love youth in the area to put their energies into something they really enjoy, like DJing, fashion or dance, and channelling their efforts into something worthwhile.
"There are still problems in Borehamwood concerning substance misuse, but if we work towards helping out people who get mixed up with drugs then that is at least a positive step forward.
© Copyright 2001-2015 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk
