In San Blas, a neighborhood battling Europe's heroin epidemic, a street performance called Cadenas dramatized a young man's descent into addiction. Performers led by Raúl, dressed as demons, tempted actor Lindsay with drugs, chaining him as the crowd watched. The skit drew over 100 onlookers and sparked discussions on recovery.
The performance took place outside the Torre del Campo bar, where Lindsay portrayed a carefree youth fond of fútbol. Demons offered alcohol, earning a chain on his arm, then cigarettes and hashish for more chains, culminating in a syringe and a chain around his neck. Kicks from the demons emphasized heroin's toll, mirroring local experiences among chavales, or street youths. Crowds grew with each showing, resonating with residents who had witnessed similar paths. Raúl addressed the audience: “The most beautiful story anyone can tell is the story of your own life. What do you want to tell with your life? Do you want to live a life of fear and shame, or get off drugs and come with us and live a life of love and hope?” Afterward, he shared his testimony as a former yonki, or addict, inviting people to Betel's Friday meeting. One onlooker mistook the scene for real drug use, lamenting the neighborhood's decline. The narrative, from Jonathan Tepper's Shooting Up, recounts life at Betel's Barajas farm, where recovering addicts shared meals, devotionals and soccer. Raúl led prayers and Bible readings from 1 Corinthians 1, stressing God's love for the weak. Men like Juan Carlos El Rubio joined after friends died in a car fire. Luis Mendoza later died from AIDS-related pneumonia, highlighting needle-sharing risks. The excerpt captures efforts amid San Blas's struggles, including Gypsy camps and overdoses.
