Sex, Drugs and Northern Soul

ISBN: 9781847470836 Published: 2007 Pages: 339 Key Themes: drug abuse, recovery, depression

This book 'Sex, Drugs and Northern Soul' is a testimony to Jason Tune and his determination to overcome the demons that threaten, on many occasions, to overwhelm him. This is a strong and positive book which should einspire all the read it to grab life by the horns!

Jason Tune Jason Tune was born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, in 1964. At 14 years of age he became a 'social outcast' finding himself part of the Rotherham drug scene. Whether this had any bearing on his mental well-being is open to debate but one would imagine, at the very least, it is partly responsible. But once he recognised his problems, it is to his own credit and his strength of character that he fought the demons that were about to destroy his life. Jason is now inspirational in his work helping other service users in Yorkshire in his day job.

Raymond Brown I first met Jason through an ex-student of mine whilst bench pressing more weight than was good for my age. Out of the friendship that was formed came the idea to write the story of Jason's journey through life.

In order to join the Army cadets a new entrant had to be one year older than I was at the time. So I backed dated my date of birth to make sure that I was old enough to join. After six weeks of extensive drilling I eventually earned my uniform. We were known as the Kimberworth Hallamshire Cadets attached to the Sheffield area command. I attended twice per week and put a lot of effort into it. It helped having some handy boys in the cadets and it certainly was not for the faint hearted. There were plenty of rewards like days out to known attractions such as Flamingo Park, North Yorkshire. The main memories I have of these times were the silly songs that we sang in the back of the Bedford military Lorries. Not so much football chants but songs of love conquests and oversized genitalia.

The main source of money for the boys around town was what was known as the 'weigh in' or mullucking. Either way, it meant collecting non-ferrous scrap and taking it to a scrap merchant for a few readies (pound notes). This was supposed to be scrap metal but it never mattered if it was attached to something. Most of the scrap metal came from old houses in the Masborough area. Sometimes it came from things that were removed from their original resting places. This was my first introduction to the trade of dismantling. I would take anything apart to obtain the scrap. Dishonest? Probably. But I was making money and that was all that mattered.