Testimonials
I am Ready to work – Kelly B
Today (Saturday, July 20, 2019 I feel honored, valued and blessed, not only because I am graduating but because I was given the opportunity to add value to my life and by extension my family, the community and the workforce. I remembered in June of last year (2018) when I was a client at the Marina House, I had completed the Primary treatment and was doing the Second Stage day programme when I was spoken to, by the Social Worker about the Photovoltaic classes and been asked to signed up, I was excited. I knew there and then that this was an opportunity for me to improve my life. I honestly did not know anything about solar panels, well I believe I knew it is placed on roofs of houses and somewhat helps to generate hot water. Outside of that I knew nothing.
I am thankful for the knowledge I gained and I totally enjoyed the course and looked forward to attending classes every week. I had the privilege of visiting the photovoltaic farm in St. Lucy where I had a firsthand look at what a photovoltaic farm set up looks like, I recalled learning how to lift the panels and secure the barricades in the work areas and to ensure my Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were always worn when attending to a job. Initially I had trouble putting on the harness but I eventually learnt. The course was a learning process and the people involved made it easy for us to learn.
Hats off to The Substance Abuse Foundation, UNDP, TVET Council and all that made this possible. The support we received as women with children were tremendous in every aspect, our children attended classes with us because of babysitting challenges and not being able to find support at times. However, they were taken care of and this put our minds at ease. The staff, Mrs. Jamonica in particular took care of them and we were allowed to learn freely. The environment was setup in such a way we had no excuse but to learn and be successful.
Oh the sumptuous lunch and snacks we received, the driver that was always on time to take us to and from classes and the encouragement we received. I remember they were times I did not have the energy to get to classes but would receive a call encouraging me and enquiring what can be done to assist. The Lectures and Assessors were fantastic in every way possible.
Someone once said that gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others. Today I am still in recovery and has managed to hold tight on the lessons I learnt at The SAF, as a result I am one year and 4 months clean one day at a time.
“Verdun has shown me a direction to a better life”
My Road to Recovery and a Life of Sobriety - Steve Smart
Not a bullet to my left leg; not incarceration; not the hard concrete of City streets as my bed, feasting on scraps recovered from bins moves me like the memory of the first time my mother kissed me at 43.
As a teenager, I had turned to the streets, cracked cocaine and crime, longing for affection. Any kind. At any price.
Today, I can honestly say that my story is one of experiences dealing with crack cocaine, marijuana, tobacco and those sorts of drugs.
My biggest battle was with crack cocaine. When I got my first hit, it was the most ultimate drug that I ever tasted and I continued with it for over 30 years.
I was around 13 years old when my curiosity about drugs was aroused while I was driven to liming on “the block”. It was among the “guys” that I felt the love I was missing at home; it was here I escaped from my mother’s constant beatings.
I later took to the street full-time. Then I roamed the beach, “hustling”, saying “yes” to anything that would bring me a dollar. It was on the beach that I was also introduced to crack cocaine that would become the bane of his life. That first experience was something that I never felt like before. I was shy but crack caused me to come out and be bold.
The downhill spiral of my life did not take long to reach full spin. I roamed in search of the drugs, getting them from anywhere I could find them. I spent my entire earnings on drugs. I blew close to three or four thousand dollars in just about a week and a half, all lost in feeding my habit. It put me in a place where it destroyed me.
I began stealing to support my habit and it landed me in prison on seven occasions where I served between three and six-month sentences. All you care about is the drug. The drug speaks for you. It controls you. Nothing else in life mattered. My final rest came when I was arrested by police for breaking into a business place. I still have a scar from the gun shot I received while fleeing. It is a constant reminder of the turning point in my life.
In court, I disclosed my addiction to the judge and begged for help. I was given a year’s sentence. I learnt to read and write at age 43. Incarceration was not easy for me. That experience was one that really changed my life.
And then came Verdun House. I spent 18 months at the facility which provided me with further assistance with accommodation after I left the treatment facility. This enabled me to finally find my place in society.
With the help of my counsellors I have reconnected with my mother and have built a relationship with my sisters that had eluded me all my life. Today, my mother is one of my best friends. Today I am married to a lady I met at the church I was attending when I was getting my life back on track. She loved me for who I was. I am devoted to helping persons suffering from the disease of addiction and provides assistance at the national level through the National Council on Substance Abuse. I am now eight sober one day at a time.
Adapted from an interview conducted by Gercine Carter on behalf of The Nation Newspaper
“I was using drugs for more 18 years. I found out that I could not function without drugs and began stealing from family and friends to support my addiction. I have been to five rehabs centres and prison. I have put my wife and children through pure hell. My wife remains hopeful. At Verdun House Rehabilitation Centre I learnt to manage my life without drugs for the first time.”
My Testimony by Harold C. – Aftercare Client
Before I went to Verdun, I was messed up in so many ways that I didn’t realize. My life was out of control and it seemed normal. Like doing the wrong thing was the right thing. I went from drinking socially to being an Alcoholic and suffering from the disease of addiction, which I only learned when I went to Verdun House. I had suffered blackouts and seizures but that never stopped me from drinking. Forgetfulness was a major problem, but I never cared as to want to do something about my drinking problem. Mind you, I never thought I had one.
After being a client of Verdun House and now being in Aftercare, I now have a better perception of life. I can now understand that I was taking life for granted and slowly killing myself. I care more about people around me, my family, close and personal friends, and even people I have just met.
At first it’s hard to trust the Counsellors and all the advice that they give, but on closer inspection I saw that they mean well and want what’s best for me. I now live a life of some normalcy, and I don’t have to hold my head down in shame. My past isn’t keeping me from getting on with my life and making me the best that I can be.
The Counsellors, they do care. To them it’s not just another job. It’s the work they put in every day to make sure that each and every Client feel the love and support that is there for them. Thanks for helping me, for making me feel important and that I can live again, without drugs and alcohol.
I am somebody today.
“I very much enjoyed the session and am happy to report that since then, mum has been full of life, woke up on Monday morning with “bird seed” - would not stop talking from 5 am… I have printed out Step 3 which I have read and will give to her.”
This is my story…this is my song
My name is Rachel and I am 25 years old. I came up in a single parent family which consists of my sister, two brothers and my mother. I started using drugs at age 11 and alcohol was a comfort or friend I thought. My mother and my oldest brother were abusive towards me so I drank alcohol to cope. You may wonder at 11 years old ” where did I get alcohol from.” Well I grew up in a single parent household as I mentioned earlier where my mother as a post woman was given many gifts in the form of alcoholic beverages from members of the community she served. She kept them in her bedroom and I would often sneak in and steal. I had my daily supply of alcohol from my mother’s bedroom. I started using alcohol and then graduated to weed and bad company at school. Shortly after that I began using, I found bad friends and soon dropped out of school and became pregnant.
In active addiction, I was unable to be a decent parent. Being under the influence of one drug or another prevented me from being there emotionally for my son. My son told me he felt hurt and neglected.
I started my treatment journey on 26th February 2017 at Marina House which was very difficult since I had to learn how to live my life without drugs. I must admit that I learnt different coping skills at Marina House which I have been putting into practice to this day. This experience has kept me clean and sober. Some of the staff at Marina and Verdun are like my family today and my support network. In treatment I was fortunate to gain certification and learn new skills. I have completed the CVQ industry standards in Information Communication Technology Level 1, Commercial Food Preparation Level 1, and Solar Photovoltaic Panel Installation (Roofer/Fitter) Level 2. I was also given the opportunity to attend the Pommarine Institute where I successfully completed a course in Basic Trade Cookery.
I was offered family treatment services but unfortunately my mother did not see it fit to attend any of the sessions offered. Nonetheless, I attended all of the individual sessions with the Family Therapist who helped me to rebuild my relationship with my son. I am presently two years and one week clean and sober and I am doing this one day at a time. I still have my bad days, but I have learnt that the bad days will pass. I also have a wonderful support system which includes some of the staff and recovering addicts that I met at Verdun and Marina House who I can call and depend upon. Temptation and drugs may always be a part of our society but being aware of the trap of drugs and its long-term negative effects is quite useful. Drugs take more from you in the end. So my advice is to stay away from drugs.