PROGRAM HELPING ADDICTS CHANGE LIVES

After years of struggling, Brad Haney has finally stepped out of the
dark side and into the fresh air.

"I've been an addict for quite a while now and I've just had enough
with the drugs," said the 26-year-old Regina man, who remembers
himself as quiet and reclusive.

"I've always kept to myself," said Haney, but when he sought help at
the Metis Addictions Council, his old self disappeared and he was able
to talk about his addiction for the first time.

"I sat down here and talked with the counsellor and he told me he was
there for me and if there was anything I needed he would help me out.
I opened up to him."

It was through these counselling sessions Haney realized he was
fighting a disease and needed professional help. He was tired of
hurting his family and sorry for hurting his kids.

"I have two boys. They're very precious to me. I know it's time for me
to go on with my life and look after my kids and build a future."

Now sober for almost a month, Haney said getting help, first at a
Moose Jaw detox centre, and now at the Metis Addictions Council, was
the best thing he's ever done

"I've learned a lot through this program, it's really helped me out a
lot with my recovery. I was telling my counsellors today this is the
one time in my life that I've actually felt good about myself ... I
feel like a new person, I feel a lot better, I feel really good about
myself now."

Haney attended the annual Metis Addictions Council "sober walk" on
Friday, with a new found appreciation for what it means to be clean
and drug and alcohol free.

"It's so positive and it feels really good."

Along with a group of counsellors, fellow clients and city officials,
Haney walked in support of "the struggles that addicts must go through
to change their lives."

The walk started at the Regina detox centre downtown and continued on
to an east-end treatment centre.

"It's a long walk," said Metis Addictions Council executive director,
Jennifer Schoeck, but it symbolizes a journey though the process of
getting sober.

Though Haney knows this walk is just the start of a longer journey on
his road to recovery, he's already looking forward to a great future.

"I'm looking forward to making a real good life for myself. I want to
get into support programs. Maybe I will take up a trade. I like to
work hard, I'm a hard worker.

"I know the struggle will never go away, but I can control my
addiction now," he said.

"I'll do it for (my kids). I want to grow them up the way I know I can
and then things will be OK for me."