Former Addict Returns to Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to Help Others

Hadar Ohayon, who survived three years of severe addiction, violence, and memory loss on the streets of Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station, is returning to the area with a mission to help others still trapped in addiction. After being expelled from boarding school at 18, Ohayon found herself living at the station, losing her memory, ability to walk, and control over her life.

She describes the area as a place of "smog, urine, and despair," where survival meant proving oneself to drug dealers. Her "entry ticket" was a crystal meth pipe, leading to constant drug use and living in squalid conditions. Ohayon recounts extreme violence, including being beaten and tear-gassed, and witnessing rampant sex trafficking and prostitution.

Her turning point came after multiple overdoses, leading to a coma and significant memory loss. This near-death experience made her realize she needed to change to survive. She entered a rehabilitation center for the tenth time, and this time, with the support of the 'Litzdchah' center, she achieved sobriety.

Now clean and performing national service at a hospital, Ohayon is revisiting the streets where she hit rock bottom. She aims to offer hope and inspiration to those still struggling, proving that recovery is possible and that a life beyond addiction can be attained. "God pulled me out of here with tweezers," she stated, emphasizing the difficulty of her journey and her optimism for the future.