News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: OPED: Last Door Has Saved Many Lives |
| Title: | CN BC: OPED: Last Door Has Saved Many Lives |
| Published On: | 2009-02-20 |
| Source: | Province, The (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2009-02-25 21:11:38 |
LAST DOOR HAS SAVED MANY LIVES
My name is Joe. I will soon celebrate one year clean from drugs,
alcohol and nicotine. I am 36 years old. I had been using every day
since I was 15.
About six years ago my drug use became extremely destructive. I was
using crack every day. It was the only way I could fill my emptiness.
On welfare, homeless and unemployable, I went from treatment centre to
detox centre taking advantage of the many services the Downtown
Eastside provides to addicts.
I was in an endless cycle of despair.
Health-care workers were always ready to prescribe me drugs to ease
the pain. I still chuckle at the amount of drugs I would get from
health-care workers. After all, I was a drug addict.
One year ago, I was in detox and thinking about suicide. It was then I
was referred to the Last Door in New Westminster.
The first few months with the Last Door, I didn't believe I could get
off drugs. I was angry at the staff. They wouldn't let me talk about
my problems or smoke. As time went on, however, I started to fill that
emptiness inside with life and solutions.
How?
Well, it's the miracle of the Last Door and the incredible alumni base
of former junkies who are clean, with families and off welfare. When I
starting to meet more and more alumnus, they taught me how to get off
the system, get clean and take responsibility for my life.
They were proof that getting clean is possible.
Why am I writing about this?
On Tuesday, I went to a Last Door media event announcing its 25th
anniversary.
I asked the organizers if the night was a success. They said "Yes,"
but I could tell they were discouraged that not one media
representative came to the celebration. British Columbians need to
know that this place has been saving lives for 25 years on a
shoestring budget and private donations from the the thousands of
junkies who got their lives back.
The Last Door saved my life.
I am off of welfare. I am working. I talk to my mother at least once a
week. I no longer steal to support my old habits.
Thank you, Last Door.
My name is Joe. I will soon celebrate one year clean from drugs,
alcohol and nicotine. I am 36 years old. I had been using every day
since I was 15.
About six years ago my drug use became extremely destructive. I was
using crack every day. It was the only way I could fill my emptiness.
On welfare, homeless and unemployable, I went from treatment centre to
detox centre taking advantage of the many services the Downtown
Eastside provides to addicts.
I was in an endless cycle of despair.
Health-care workers were always ready to prescribe me drugs to ease
the pain. I still chuckle at the amount of drugs I would get from
health-care workers. After all, I was a drug addict.
One year ago, I was in detox and thinking about suicide. It was then I
was referred to the Last Door in New Westminster.
The first few months with the Last Door, I didn't believe I could get
off drugs. I was angry at the staff. They wouldn't let me talk about
my problems or smoke. As time went on, however, I started to fill that
emptiness inside with life and solutions.
How?
Well, it's the miracle of the Last Door and the incredible alumni base
of former junkies who are clean, with families and off welfare. When I
starting to meet more and more alumnus, they taught me how to get off
the system, get clean and take responsibility for my life.
They were proof that getting clean is possible.
Why am I writing about this?
On Tuesday, I went to a Last Door media event announcing its 25th
anniversary.
I asked the organizers if the night was a success. They said "Yes,"
but I could tell they were discouraged that not one media
representative came to the celebration. British Columbians need to
know that this place has been saving lives for 25 years on a
shoestring budget and private donations from the the thousands of
junkies who got their lives back.
The Last Door saved my life.
I am off of welfare. I am working. I talk to my mother at least once a
week. I no longer steal to support my old habits.
Thank you, Last Door.
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