GRADS GET SECOND CHANCE

Drug Recovery Program Hailed As a Success

After years of battling with drug addiction, Marlene Masuskapoe is
now living a life she is proud of.

"I had tried committing suicide for the third time and wanted to quit
drugging," said Masuskapoe, a mother of four. "That's when I found
this program."

The program is Skills Unlimited III, which is run by the Prince
Albert Methadone Assisted Recovery Program. It is designed to
integrate drug addicts back into working society by giving them the
support and tools necessary to succeed.

On Friday afternoon, a ceremony was held for the eight graduating
students of the program, all of whom are now employed.

"We have eight people here who now have jobs," said Dr. Leo Lanoie,
medical health officer with the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
"It's a huge success and we're hoping to get funding to continue."

The 24-week program focuses on teaching students how to deal with
anger, time management and interpersonal skills. All the things that
Masuskapoe said she took for granted before becoming addicted to
drugs and ultimately losing custody of her children. "I feel so proud
to be part of something again," said Mususkapoe, who is now working
at Value Village and on track to get her children back. "I've learned
a lot and I'm thinking clear ... I'm able to hold a job - something
I've never done before."

Mayor Jim Scarrow, who was at the graduation ceremony, said programs
such as this are vital to Prince Albert.

"Addiction, whether it be alcohol or drugs, is the number one issue
in this city," said Scarrow. "I don't think anyone can appreciate how
difficult it is to overcome addiction ... when you have eight people
graduating from a program, it's obviously working."