GIVING PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE

Recovered drug addict Charlie (not his real name) has a second chance
at life.

Several years ago he was the victim of a home invasion during which he
suffered a brain injury. This was in addition to the damage he had
done to himself from years of using cocaine and other drugs.

"I figured I had hit rock bottom," he said. "I couldn't function
anymore."

With his family's help he sought refuge at the Second Chance Recovery
House in Campbell River.

"They taught me a new way of life," said Charlie. "Without Second
Chance, without the people there, I really don't think I'd be walking
on this earth right now."

Second Chance, which is run by the North Island Supportive Recovery
Society, has been helping men 18 and older end their addictions to
drugs and alcohol for 14 years.

"I was scared when I went there," said Charlie. "But the people there
were just great. They guided me through those nine months."

Charlie's stay was much longer than most clients' because of his brain
injury. Clients can stay 30-60 days, but some do chose to leave before
their time is up because they aren't ready to make that commitment to
end their addiction. Charlie saw men leave or be asked to leave by
staff because they chose to use again.

"I thought 'I really don't want to live like that, I don't want to
screw this up'," he said. "It meant the world to me, a whole change of
life. By the end I didn't want to go."

The staff at Second Chance helped Charlie establish a daily routine,
which was important to his recovery process.

"No one has a routine when they're a drug addict," he
said.

A typical day at Second Chance involves breakfast, chores, support
group, outside appointments with other agencies/one-on-one
counselling, lunch, appointments/one-on-one/personal time, afternoon
group, appointments/personal time, dinner, chores/one-on-one/personal
time, support group assignments. "I maintain the same routine and
seems to be working great for me," Charlie noted.

Since leaving Second Chance, Charlie said he has been taking it one
step at a time to getting his life back in order, including getting
his driver's license back, securing a full time job and buying a
house. He attends Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous
meetings and sees a psychiatrist once a week to deal with the
underlying issues that led to his addiction.

"Everyone can change with the love and support and kindness and
consideration of the people in the house," said Charlie. "When I went
in there I didn't even have a change of clothes. The community was
really good to me too."

And Second Chance needs the community's help now more than
ever.

The society receives funding from the Ministry of Human Resources,
Ministry of Health, bingo and the United Way but is unable to operate
without a deficit even with diligent budgeting.

"That's why we have started a 'Sponsor a bed' campaign, to ask
businesses to pay for the operating costs of one bed for one month at
cost of $1,200," said Society President Dave Storrie. "In return they
will have their company name added to a plaque posted in the bedroom
where their sponsored bed is located, as well as to all our printed
materials. We can also offer volunteer opportunities to their
employees, such as painting the bedroom or they can become board members."

Storrie noted they help the entire community because they help their
clients re-enter society clean and sober, re-unite with family members
and return to the workforce. This lowers crime rates, allows for a
more stable employee base and lessens the burden on services such as
police, hospitals and welfare.

"We help make our community a healthier and safer place in which to
live," he said. "And this makes Campbell River more attractive to new
businesses, residents and tourists."

"With Father's Day approaching, we want to remind the community what
we do and let them know how they can help these men, who are someone's
father or grandfather," added Society Treasurer Beba Adams. "Perhaps
while they are buying a gift for their own father, they may want to
pick up an extra shaving kit or shirt for one of our clients."

She said the house is always in need of shampoo, soap, deodorant,
razors, shaving cream, bath towels, twin size bed sheets/blankets/quilts,
clothing and bus passes. In addition, they need a new tv/vcr, self
help books/videos, paper towel holders, sandwich containers,
dishtowels, dishcloths, a new microwave, artwork and chests of drawers.

Donations can be dropped off at 647 Birch St or mailed to Box 996,
Campbell River, V9W 6Y4. To find out more about the Sponsor a Bed or
the Second Chance Recovery House, phone 830-1103.