CENTRE HELPS ADDICTS TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND

When Adam Reynolds talks about crime, violence and drug addiction, he
knows of what he speaks.

The director of Teen Challenge in Winfield walked a dark path before
coming to God, going to Teen Challenge in Chilliwack and taking a
brighter direction in life.

When he was just a teen, Reynolds had a $700-a-day crack habit.

"I was selling drugs and involved in gangs. As a result of my
lifestyle, I was severely beaten," he said.

With his life in danger, the young man knew he had to change or die,
but change was not easy.

"All I knew was crime. That came very easy to me," he said, adding
that because of his large frame, he also used violence as a means of survival.

With nowhere to go, Reynolds turned to the parents of a girlfriend.
He knew they were Christian, and because their daughter was into the
drug scene, they had researched Teen Challenge. They took him into
their home without hesitation and arranged for him to go to Teen
Challenge. Reynolds' life was on the path of transformation.

Reynolds said the girlfriend's parents never asked anything of him or
had harsh words, even though he did drugs with their daughter, but
"showed real Christianity."

Reynolds entered Teen Challenge in May 2001 and graduated one year
later. In 2004, he took over as director of the Okanagan centre.

While Teen Challenge has its foundation in Christianity, Reynolds
said you do not have to be a Christian to join. Biblical principles,
such as caring for one another and being a good person, are the basis
for the ongoing lessons, but no one is forced to convert.

"You need a base to build on," said Reynolds, adding the Bible has
moral lessons that are beneficial to those who may have had no such
lessons. "They learn to respond rather than react."

Teen Challenge deals with a variety of addictions, including drugs,
alcohol, gambling and pornography.

Those attending the wooded facility off Glenmore Road must abide by a
number of strict rules, including not leaving the grounds alone, and
being in bed at 10:30 p.m. and up at 7 a.m. These and a variety of
other measures provide structure in a life that, before arrival, was
ruled by chaos.

The 22 men attending the camp also take a variety of courses to help
them learn to deal with anger and temptation, to work with others and
to become productive members of society.

Teen Challenge is open to people 18-45 years old. For more
information, call the centre at 1-877-777-7344 or visit
www.bcteenchallenge.com online.

Teen Challenge is funded entirely by private donations. It receives
no government support.

"People really believe in what we are doing," Reynolds said, adding
studies have shown Teen Challenge has a 68-86 per cent success rate.

Once they are finished their 12 months at Teen Challenge, students
can go into re-entry houses, where their support will continue.

Teen Challenge hosts an open chapel at 9 a.m. every Wednesday. The
public is welcome to attend.