When he was just 10 years old, Don L. Sutton lived in a rundown house on 17th and Felix. At that age, his mother walked out on his family and he was being sexually molested frequently by another family member. He would have his first drink of alcohol five years later. It would be 22 years before he kicked his many addictions that all started with that first drink.

In Mr. Sutton’s new book, “Understanding Meth: The Epidemic,” he writes about his life as first an alcoholic, then a drug addict and drug dealer. He also describes his first use of meth and how it stemmed from that first drink he took at 15 years old.

“My whole life of alcoholism and drug addiction, all I continually did was try to get that higher high,” Mr. Sutton explains. “I went from alcohol to marijuana, from marijuana to cocaine, cocaine to heroin, heroin to LSD, LSD to meth.”

As his chase for the “higher high” continued, his life spiralled out of control. Soon, his addictions were a detriment to his family as both of his children suffered abuse and developed their own drug addictions.

In 1985, the Sutton family moved from St. Joseph to Portland, Ore. It was in Portland that he failed at attempting suicide in August 1987. After this experience, Mr. Sutton realized how insignificant his life was as an addict and the impact he had on those he loved. He decided he needed help right then and there.

“I was really sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Mr. Sutton says.

He checked into treatment for 33 days and now he has been clean and sober for 21 years.

His troubled life inspired him to write his book which has been featured on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and is part of Oprah’s Book Club. He plans on touring the country this year and giving every governor of every state a copy of his book. “Understanding Meth: The Epidemic” is his way of trying to spare people from the life he had.

“This book may not stop this epidemic, but if it saves on life it will be worth my time and effort. I’m not out to save the world. I’m out to save one person,” Mr. Sutton says.

He will be signing copies of his book tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Church in St. Joseph. For more information on the signing, call 279-2090. For more on Mr. Sutton’s book, visit www.understandingmeth.com. For more on meth prevention, visit www.saynotometh.com.

Lifestyles reporter Shea Conner can be reached

at sheaconner@npgco.com