Return to "48 Hours on Crack Street": Ex-addict reflects on life in the '80s, tells how he beat crack

By: Julia Dahl
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS) - Twenty five years ago, a slim, smooth-talking addict named Clarence approached "48 Hours" correspondent Bernard Goldberg and tried to sell him some crack.

"I can get the good crack," he said, in full view of CBS cameras.

Goldberg was reporting for the very first episode of "48 Hours," called "48 Hours on Crack Street." The two-hour primetime special exposed the dark and dangerous world of the nation's ballooning crack epidemic - an epidemic that would change our nation's drug laws, destroy neighborhoods, and ruin lives.

"48 Hours" cameras caught people brazenly getting high on the streets of New York City, overdosing in filthy "crack houses," and crowding hospital ERs with seizures and heart attacks induced by the powerful, cheap drug.

Clarence was just one of many. Most viewers probably assumed that by now, he'd be dead.

But Clarence is very much alive, and in November, "48 Hours" brought him back to New York. He hadn't been to the city since 1989, and, as he put it "a lot has changed."

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by kacklarkrakan February 3, 2013 8:47 AM EST: Great job Cllarence.; Reply to this comment


by ljanycchar February 1, 2013 9:15 AM EST: Clarence...I applaud your efforts, determination, bravery, stamina, self-motivation, honesty and continued commitment to your initiative. I like the way you started your journey. Just "get the hell out of Dodge". Go where you don't know anyone and no one knows you. This made me realize that I need to not judge someone at first sight, but try to help them with any little thing I can...much like the conductor on the train to the "last stop" in another city did for you. I bet that conductor had no idea you were not just sleeping on a rail car but trying to get as far away from the devil as you could by making a new start as far away from him as possible. This is how we all must view instances like this and at least TRY not to be so judgemental. any little assistance is better than none and can be the first random assistance in a person's recovery. Much success to you in your new life. I also admire that you realize you need to know what makes you tick before jumping into a relationship with another person. Rock on!; Reply to this comment


by pasthype55 January 31, 2013 8:40 PM EST: 30 years clean, own a small co. the convicted felons have the deck stacked against them. They made their bed, now they just have to get out of it! Go back to SCHOOL! get certified in something! then you have something they can't use against you! or take from you! YOU HAVE TO WANT IT! just as bad as you wanted the drugs!!!; Reply to this comment


by mindy11565321 January 31, 2013 1:54 PM EST: Clarence... I applaud your accomplishments. It's easy for people to pass judgement and make light of things.. You mentioned trying to get in touch with yourself. One day at a time my friend. Know that 6 years of being drug free is a huge accomplishment. God bless you and I pray you find all the happiness you need in life.; Reply to this comment


by mindy11565321 January 31, 2013 1:53 PM EST: Clarence... I applaud your accomplishments. It's easy for people to pass judgement and make light of things.. You mentioned trying to get in touch with yourself. One day at a time my friend. Know that 6 years of being drug free is a huge accomplishment. God bless you and I pray you find all the happiness you need in life.; Reply to this comment


by 2speshell January 31, 2013 12:16 PM EST: You don't know sh*t Rejco100... until you've struggled with addiction and recovery you won't know either... what a tool...; Reply to this comment