HopeStories.ca – Verissimo’s Story
HopeStories.ca – Verissimo’s Story – To the outsider he appeared to function normally. But behind the scenes, Verissimo was a full-blown cocaine addict. Once a successful businessman earning six figures, he never dreamed he would be homeless at age 42. Verissimo, known to his peers as trucker, grew up in a drug-infested community in the heart of Toronto. He smoked his first joint at age nine on a dare. What followed was 26 years of drug abuse and criminal behaviour. When I owned my trucking company my cocaine use escalated, says Verissimo. The drug kept me hyper and awake for four to five days at a time so I could make quicker deliveries. I eventually met a girl, had a son and stayed clean for five years. Then we separated. My son went with his mother. I was devastated. I couldnt cope and fell back into my crack cocaine abuse. The drug made me feel like superman—like I could handle anything. I started to hang out with shady people. Before long, I was involved in criminal activity. This led to a conviction and I was sent to Torontos Don Jail. For four and a half years I lived in a three-foot-wide cell. When I was released I was homeless. I had nothing and no one to turn to. My family had abandoned me years ago. While in prison, I was told of The Salvation Armys Turning Point, an addiction and rehabilitation program for men. I was familiar with the address. It was a shelter for the homeless in my old neighbourhood. I called my sister for help, something I had never done before. I was crying uncontrollably …
Budget earmarks funds for drug, alcohol courts
Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program
If approved, offenders would be allowed to live and be employed and be with their families in their communities while staying free of drugs and alcohol and receiving addiction treatment. Through last year, 41 offenders had gone through the full …
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Questioning Demos: faith groups, social justice and public services
Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program
"From employment training to drug rehabilitation, an increasing number of services once delivered by the public sector have been outsourced through the commissioning of private sector and charitable organisations. Yet faith-based providers have seen …
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Volunteers being recruited in Butte County to mentor offenders
Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program
For example, the mentees might need drug or alcohol treatment programs, or resume writing or job interviewing skills, Felipe said. Although mentors and mentees are asked to stick with the … The mentoring program and its executive committee includes …
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