Then they offer a farewell glare and walk off to their cars. At 46, Rivera is a major force in local Latin music and one of Buffalo's most talented percussionists. Sometimes bad things happen, and it's hard for people to figure out why. It may be difficult to figure how such an intelligent and talented musician like Rivera fell into the depths of drug addiction. But drugs and music often seem to go hand in hand.
People medicate themselves to satisfy their own emotions.
Being an artist, you're very much in tune with your emotions, and nobody wants to feel pain. Drugs, for a minute, make you forget pain. But then comes the next minute and the next. I'm not ashamed to admit I am a recovering addict. I lost two brothers to drugs.