Originally from Long Island, New York Keith left NYU in 1988 to embark on an extensive unsanctioned, unfunded 13-year immersive field study into the world of addiction and mental illness. In 2001, having passed his assumed expiration date and inspired by 14 years of volunteering with children and families living with HIV, he went on to receive a B.S. in psychology from the University of New Orleans and his Master of Social Work from UNC-Chapel Hill. He currently works as mental health and addictions therapist for people living with HIV/AIDS with the Duke Infectious Disease Clinic and Wake County Human Services. He is an advocate for Harm Reduction, sensible drug laws and mental health/addiction parity.