ADDICTIONS BATTLE EASIER AMONG FRIENDS

On the difficult and often lonely road to recovery, the One Way Club is a
much needed refuge.

The society's clubhouse on North Avenue is a haven for people escaping a
life of alcohol and drugs. A hot meal, referrals, companionship and social
activities can all be found under its roof.

For some - particularly during the holidays - the club is the one thing
that prevents a relapse.

"That (Christmas) was the big thing for me," said vice-president Fred Lilley.

Lilley's been sober for 24 years, but the support network is as important
to him today as it was then. He still attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
and visits the club almost every day.

"It's somewhere you can come down, sit around, play a game of cards and
talk, without worrying about alcohol," said Lilley, recently retired from
his job driving HandyDART.

"It's really important. A lot of times you just need somewhere to go. Like
myself, if I want to talk to someone. A lot of people go to the bars."

Earlier this week, the One Way Club received $5,000 at the Maple Ridge
Community Foundation's annual fall granting session, at which six groups
shared in $12,325 (see below).

The grant will help fix the club's water-damaged second-storey floor, an
estimated $15,000 job. Meadowridge Rotary and Haney Rotary are also each
chipping in $2,500.

"We don't have enough funding to do the job otherwise," Lilley said. "We're
really happy to get the grants."

The club is completely run by volunteers, aside from three kitchen staff
who serve up breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and other fare to both members
and non-members (members get a $1 discount on items).

The restaurant contributes to the club's funding, as do bingo, rentals,
memberships and donations. It has 120 members, 80 to 90 of whom are
regulars. All have been addicted to drugs or booze, and all hit rock bottom
at some point. It's a necessary step in recovery, Lilley explained: "That's
how you really know it's time to do something about your drinking."

People arrive on the steps of the clubhouse at various stages of recovery,
but most have recently gone clean and are looking for help to stay that
way. Club members refer newcomers to services and support groups, but just
as importantly, they provide a friendly ear and evidence that life can be
good without alcohol or drugs.

They can also offer some realistic advice to those who are newly clean and
sober. "A lot of people think they're going to change overnight," Lilley
said. "You can be sober for a couple weeks, but your mind's not
straightened out."

After 24 years with the club, Lilley has seen the membership shift to
include more people with drug addictions and more young people.

But everyone who comes through the door is treated with the same level of
respect and understanding, no matter what brought them there.

"We're here to provide support for any person who's saying they're having
problems," Lilley said.

The club was founded in 1974 and moved into its current location, a former
school board office, in 1983. The second floor added in the 1990s is used
for gatherings and rented out to AA and Narcotics Anonymous groups.

Downstairs there are round tables, dart boards, a pool table and even a few
children's toys. A covered smoking area is out back. There's also
literature to help members help themselves.

The space is decorated for the holidays now, with a Christmas tree in the
corner, lights and garlands on the ceiling and scenes painted on the
windows. Boxes of goodie bags on the tables await a family Christmas party,
at which 55 children are expected.

"It's family oriented here, that's the main thing people need to know,"
Lilley said.

The club encourages members to bring along spouses and kids as a way of
helping them rebuild and maintain relationships they typically damaged when
they were drunk or high.

Family members are also invited to the club's alcohol- and drug-free social
activities, like a recent Halloween dance and upcoming New Year's dinner
and dance (tickets are $20).

For many members, though, the club is the only family they have. It can
make Christmas a lonely time.

"A lot of people who come in - especially the singles - they don't have
anywhere to go," Lilley said.

The club is normally open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. To help its members
through the holidays, the club will be open all night over the Christmas
weekend, from Christmas Eve to 11 p.m. on Boxing Day.

The One Way Club is at 22270 North Ave. and is open to the public. For
information, call 604-463-6617.

*Maple Ridge Community Foundation fall grants:

* $3,500 to Ridge Meadows Seniors Society (Meals on Wheels);

* $1,450 to Family Education and Resource Centre (improvements to its
childcare room);

* $1,050 to North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association (tack);

* $500 to Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society
(curriculum resources); and

* $825 to the Haney Horsemen Association (trail signs).

The foundation hands out grants again in May. For information about the
foundation or to make a donation, call 604-466-3312.