Though he ultimately relapsed , Burroughs ended up working out of London for six years , traveling back to the United States on several occasions , including one time escorting his son to the Lexington Narcotics Farm and Prison after the younger Burroughs had been convicted of prescription fraud in Florida . In the " Afterword " to the compilation of his son 's two previously published novels '' Speed '' and '' Kentucky Ham '' , Burroughs writes that he thought he had a " small habit " and left London quickly without any narcotics because he suspected the U.S. customs would search him very thoroughly on arrival . He claims he went through the most excruciating two months of opiate withdrawal while seeing his son through his trial and sentencing , traveling with Billy to Lexington , Kentucky from Miami to ensure that his son entered the hospital that he had once spent time in as a volunteer admission . Earlier , Burroughs revisited St. Louis , Missouri , taking a large advance from '' Playboy '' to write an article about his trip back to St. Louis , one that was eventually published in '' The Paris Review '' , after Burroughs refused to alter the style for '' Playboy '' 's publishers . In 1968 Burroughs joined Jean Genet , John Sack , and Terry Southern in covering the 1968 Democratic National Convention for '' Esquire '' magazine . Southern and Burroughs , who had first become acquainted in London , would remain lifelong friends and collaborators . In 1972 , Burroughs and Southern unsuccessfully attempted to adapt '' Naked Lunch '' for the screen in conjunction with American game-show producer Chuck Barris
1968 Democratic National Convention
1968 Democratic National Convention
William S. Burroughs