TeeLow gives the lowdown on Sandusky's drug epidemic

ouriel@sanduskyregister.comSANDUSKYLike many others, Antonio Lopez despises the drugs, illegal substances and addictive vices ravaging the community he loves.So he penned an open letter to best explain his resentment toward narcotics killing far too many people in Sandusky as of late.But the Firelands Regional Medical Center dietary cook and aspiring musician did one better: He passionately recited the two-minute verse, without background music, to describe his frustrations.Lopez, under the moniker TeeLow, wrote and composed "Dear Sandusky" to spotlight Sandusky's drug epidemic.The video — his girlfriend, Stephanie Conkey, filmed landmarks around Sandusky to accompany Lopez's voice — went viral, exploding in popularity and generating about 23,000 views on Facebook since it published earlier this month.Lopez recently met with the Register at the Jackson Street Pier to explain the video's backstory."It started last June when my girlfriend and I saw so many calls for possible overdoses, and I thought, 'Man, it's insane how much this is happening,'" Lopez said. "Too many people are dying from heroin and other things. To me, it felt like the city wasn't really doing anything about it, and no one wanted to talk about it, so I started writing this."Lopez then spent the next several months, on and off again, writing "Dear Sandusky."Throughout the process, he received encouragement from others in tune with his work."People told me if a young person is speaking to other young people in a way they can accept and listen to, via rap, it could be more relatable to them, and they could pick up on what I am saying," Lopez said.Lopez, who today resides in Milan, dedicates the first half of his lyrical poetry to explaining Sandusky's drug dilemma.But in the second half, he urges people to find help before an overdose or drug-induced event takes them or someone they care about."Life is a beautiful thing, and it's too beautiful to throw away," Lopez said. "Anyone can change. Your best days will forever be ahead of you. You don't have to look behind."People commenting on Lopez's video expressed their joy with someone's refreshing take on a sensitive yet important issue impacting all facets of this community:• Ron Miller: TeeLow, just wanted to say amazing video. I really hope people take your video and watch it and learn from it. Our streets and public places are becoming unsafe day by day.• Rose Isaac: It takes the youth of today to make a stand and pull together because most don't want to hear the 'when I was younger' stories from the older ones that are trying to get them to listen.• Tricia Miller: The words the video said it all. A lot of us have someone in our life that is going through this. But your words will touch a life.• Ed Wise: This is a must listen.• Brenda Canter-Baum: So real. So deep. So true. Beautifully, painfully spoken.The outpouring of support overwhelms Lopez, whose most popular video before "Dear Sandusky" only had 600 views."It makes me feel really good, and it feels great to be noticed for something that I worked at for so long, and it's even better that it's for something so positive," said Lopez, who added he wants to create a similar video package for Norwalk. "All I want is for my community to turn around and get better." The lyrics to "Dear Sandusky" by Antonio "TeeLow" Lopez Dear Sandusky,Seems like every other week I gotta read in disgustAbout overdoses and what these dealers feedin' to usWhile we all up in arms about police we distrustI think there's a few other issues we need to discuss Like how all these kids are in need of a rushAnd parents can't be bothered, they all out of touchMaybe, they too, are in need of a crutchSo it's all monkey see, monkey doin' too much I grew up here. It was always coolLeave the house in the summer, moms never cared where I was going toI'd be downtown all day or up at the parkAnd she wouldn't get worried if it was a lil' bit after dark Now the streets becoming dangerous, and the cops is watchingHouse on the corner sells dope, the neighbors pushin' suboxoneAddicts and hustlers don't see no other optionIs it the drugs, or is the money the toxin? It's a disease. Users can't be sober longIf they're broke, they'll case a store for something to pawnIf they're broke, they'll break into a place of residenceRaid a cabinet for all their medicines I know it sucks, how life can break youBut you can't go anywhere you won't let it take youYou got hooked on the line but no one hates youYou can still come back — but only you can save you Look the ER is full and the EMT's are busyIf you OD it's over, your life is historyNo longer front page, that news is old as (expletive)It's sad that we're more surprised by people who sobered up Add your name to that, do yourself the favorMake your best day now — stop thinking you'll get help laterYou have a few regrets, but that ain't gotta define youYou're not you right now, in case I gotta remind you Gotta clear your head, only you can find youWe see thru your excuses, so who are you really lyin' to?I only want the best for you and yoursAnd I'm more than willing to show you the doors But I gotta leave it up to you to turn that knob and enterYou gotta fight for your life and there's no surrenderAntonio Lopez, known to others as TeeLow, is a local musician using his lyrics to send a message about his hometown of Sandusky.