A JOURNEY AWAY FROM ADDICTION

A symbolic journey got underway Friday afternoon.

The -17 C windchill and snowfall didn't deter the more than 60 people
who started the journey at the Regina Detox Centre and finished at the
Metis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (MACSI) Centre on
College Avenue -- where more than 100 people seek treatment for drug
and alcohol addiction annually -- as part of the 10th annual Sober
Walk.

Participants were treated to a luncheon and some prizes at their final
destination.

"Our clients start their journey to recovery. They start here at (the
Regina Detox Centre), then we go to the MACSI treatment centre where
they start their 28-day recovery program," said Lana Blondeau,
regional director of Regina Addiction Services.

"So they get detoxified first and then come to the centre. Our walk is
to support that, and the clients for their journey to sobriety."

Walkers were also joined by family members, community members, and
workers from the Regina Detox and MACSI centres for the hour-long
walk, to show their support for those struggling to overcome addiction.

This is the 10th year for the Sober Walk. It has occurred at roughly
the same time each year, and it coincides with National Addiction
Awareness Week.

"We thought, 'What can we do for National Addiction Awareness week at
MACSI?' So one staff member came up with the walk, so that's what we
did. And we've been doing it for 10 years," said Blondeau.

Paul Ritchie has undergone detox and is completing his first week of
treatment for cocaine and alcohol use at the MACSI Centre. He said his
treatment is going well, and was not the least bit concerned by the
cold weather.

"The last couple of weeks have been great. I've tried a different
lifestyle, and this walk I think will be a good thing for people to be
aware of what we're trying to do," the 26-year-old man from Belle
Plaine said while waiting for the walk to commence.

"The walk will warm me up," he added.

After a weeklong binge, Ritchie said he decided to seek
treatment.

"I learned a lot about the streets, and it's not a very nice place.
Living that sort of lifestyle and the people that you meet -- you
really can't trust them. It's really a bad, negative scene," said Ritchie.

"Growing up in a good family, I really should have followed that step
but, hey, I'm here now."

Ritchie is looking forward to completing the 28-day treatment at
MACSI.

"After the 28 days of treatment, I'm going to spend the holidays with
family and then I go back to work in January," he said.

Ritchie is confident that his treatment will be successful.

"I really find the sober lifestyle is actually better," he said.