GROUP OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE STREET

For Those Ill From Drug Abuse Or Prostitution, Success Can Be
Measured In Small Daily Events

It is hard to imagine anyone who turns down the road toward drug
addiction, prostitution or homelessness sees much light at the end of
the tunnel. But thanks to funding received from Centraide of Greater
Montreal, there is a place that helps brighten some otherwise dark situations.

Spectre de rue, a community organization on Ontario St. E., began in
1994. Its mission is to intervene downtown to prevent troubled youth
from ending up on the street, while reducing the risks associated
with prostitution, drug abuse and homelessness.

"When our members come here, they say, 'I didn't prostitute or use
(drugs) today.' To me, that is great and amazing," said Gilles
Beauregard, executive director of Spectre de rue.

"All the people who come here have big problems, like HIV or
hepatitis C. When they stay at home, all they do is think about their problems.

"So by taking them out of their isolation and putting them into
positive environments, they get the opportunity to forget a little bit."

One way the centre helps its members to forget about their problems
is through the Paid Alternative Work Day program, known by the French
acronym TAPAJ, which began in 1999.

The program provides small contracts of two to three hours of work a
day, at about $10 an hour, during weekdays.

"Our clients will call at 10 a.m. to work that same afternoon,"
Beauregard said.

"The work could involve painting murals, cleaning alleys or planting
trees. We have so many things for them to do. Gas stations have paid
our workers to clean up needles.

"There is even administrative work available to some."

Beauregard recognizes that some would argue the program provides drug
users with money that could just perpetuate their problems.

"That is not an issue, because we don't want to ask what they do with
the money," he said.

"It is very important not to ask this. What we are trying to do with
these people is to establish a good and trusting relationship with them.

"This confidence is very necessary if we expect to do something else
with them, like help them get off the streets or off drugs.

"By putting them in work situations that give them success, we create
a situation that will lead them to want more success."

Spectre de rue offers other programs, including a drop-in centre that
provides counselling information and referrals. A home health care
service is also available.

Centraide of Greater Montreal funds 360 community agencies that in
turn assist about 500,000 people. To donate, call 514-288-1261 or go
to the website www.centraide-mtl.org

To learn more about Spectre de rue, call 514-528-1700 or go to
www.spectrederue.org