'THEY'RE SMOKING THEIR CRACK RIGHT ON THE STREET'

Streethope is getting back to basics. The no-frills ministry that
tries to steer drug addicts to local treatment houses will be taking
its message out to the city's side streets, said its founder, Dave
Denault.

There will be no more coffee, meals and clothes handed out of the
Pauline Street drop-in centre, or at least not like before. Instead,
Denault and small teams of trained volunteers will head out to the
back alleys, parking lots and quiet streets with sandwiches and hot
soups.

At first, Denault, a captain with the Church Army of Canada which
supports no-nonsense outreach ministries like Streethope, opened his
doors to offer coffee and encouragement to get clean.

"Our purpose at Streethope is to build relationships and connect them
to recovery houses. My main purpose was not to feed the people," he
said.

Now the drug-addicted prostitutes and other lost souls who linger at
the Abbotsford drop-in centre are taking over the nearby
neighbourhood, he said.

"They're smoking their crack right in the street. Businesses are
becoming overcome by them. There's more showing up but I have to
respect the needs of the businesses," he said.

"It's a little like setting up a bird feeder. Lots of birds will show
up. I've got to find a way to stop the enabling process that's
happening," he said.

Denault first worked with male prisoners preparing to leave prison at
the old Sumas Centre halfway house. But, as he tells it, God kept
whispering to him to follow his desire to work with society's really
marginalized members. He founded Streethope in 1998, moving it to
Pauline Street the year after.

Seven years ago it made sense to give out food and clothes, as the
community didn't have all the services it has today, he said. However,
now there are many agencies and churches providing regular meals and
supplies of warm clothes - almost too many.

While well intentioned, those acts of kindness are also enabling
addicts to stay in their addictions, he said.

"There is no shortage of help. There's a lot of food and clothing for
these folks. There are 440 recovery beds in the area, but addicts say,
'Well, I don't want to go to recovery, I'm getting what I need,' "
Denault said.

The compassion, he says, shouldn't protect the addicts from the
reality of their situation.

"I want to allow them to hit the bottom they need to hit . . . then
they can say 'I need help.' "

The church captain said Streethope and other outreach groups are
beginning to network better so their generosity isn't abused.

"We need to keep our efforts co-ordinated, or else it's another
opportunity for addicts to take advantage of the groups helping them,"
Denault said.

Meanwhile, starting in February, Denault will offer a 10-week program
for volunteers who want to be part of the street teams. For details
call Denault at 604-832-8884.