graphite, watercolor, ink, and color pencil;
20×16″ 
“People are not addicted to alcohol or drugs; they are addicted to escaping reality.” Everyone faces struggles, but how we cope differs. For some, these coping mechanisms turn deadly. Over 100,000 people lose their lives each year due to opioid addiction, with seven out of ten opioid-related deaths leaving a devastating impact. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about confronting the harsh truth of addiction. In this piece of art, the unsettling imagery forces viewers to confront the reality of opioid abuse. Hands prying the mouth open symbolize a loss of control, while drool dripping down represents an unrelenting thirst—a desperate, insatiable need. The tongue, extended and begging for more, heightens the desperation. Rendered entirely in graphite, the piece captures every shadow and texture, emphasizing its raw realism. The pill bottle, intended as the focal point, is overwhelmed by the chaos surrounding it. This reflects life itself—addiction is rarely just one issue but the culmination of countless factors, often overlooked. The piece evokes urgency, warning us to look beyond the surface. Addiction stems not from a single visible problem but from the smaller, hidden struggles that drive the need to escape. This is a call to understand, not judge, the underlying realities that fuel this crisis.”
ARTIST BIO: Brandon CROOKS is a grade 12 student at Butler Tech School of Art studying art under art teacher Mary Catherine Ruby.