The annual Roll-a-thon for Our House was held on the weekend, again led by inline skaters Norm Sharkey and Gerry Oake.
The event, which saw the duo joined by several friends on bicycles, is a way to raise awareness about the need for help for those with addictions, and to help raise donations for a planned rehabilitation home in Saskatchewan in the future.
"It's for general awareness if you have a son, or daughter, or relative who has a problem with drugs, we're working on a place to send them," said Sharkey.
"If people see us on the highway it opens up their eyes," added Oake.
The event is not one where participants seek pledges, but donations are welcome, with receipts issued for those of $10, or more. People can call 306-745-7241, or email gerry.o@sasktel.net to make their contribution.
Sharkey is also the author of the book Sanity 365, a book designed to help people with the healing process of addictions.
Oake said the book is being sold with some of the proceeds dedicated to starting the home in Saskatchewan.
The book is available for order through most bookstores, and through online sellers such as Amazon.com, said Sharkey, or at www.balboapress.com
"It's a good way to support us," said Oake, adding he encourages individuals and businesses to consider purchasing the book, then donating it to schools, libraries and jails as a way to impact more people's lives. He said getting the book into jails is one thing he believes is important, noting through the book prisoners can realize "I can do something with my life rather than wasting away in jail."
"They say 85 per cent of people doing time are there because of doing drugs," added Sharkey.
Youth also often need help to escape addiction.
Andrew Oake, Gerry's son is currently in the Our House home in Vancouver dealing with addictions to marijuana and alcohol. He said he initially went to the home for two weeks, but wasn't ready to quit. He left and renewed his use of both drugs.
"I went back using for four to six months, but I broke down. I couldn't do it anymore. I called dad and went back," he said.
Andrew said he has been clean since his return to the home.
"It's been a pretty good experience there," he said.
The program suggests staying at the home a year, which Andrew said is his plan, although some stay longer, depending on individual need.
"It's more of a family environment. It's more like my home now," he said, adding as one goes through the healing process they begin to help newcomers with theirs. "It's very rewarding as well."
Asked what the core of the program to recovery is, Andrew said simply, "more of less it just focuses on love; love yourself, love others, love God.
"That's what I try to hold onto. I really didn't love myself I hated myself and used drugs as a way to get numb and forget that."
His Father said it's important to get out the inner demons people have.
"Lots of stuff happens, stuff you don't want to talk about, that you want to take to the grave," he said.
But issues such as being molested as children, or raped, need to be dealt with, noted Sharkey, would said secrets keep people feeling helpless.
As for the planned house, the pair admits progress has been slow, with a likely need for $500,000 to ensure not just the building, but start-up operations.
In terms of a timeframe, neither was prepared to set a start-up date, but Sharkey noted if someone, or another group were to donate the land, or even a house "that would speed things up."
Sharkey also noted they are "staying away completely" from government funding, pointing out government funding cuts have forced home closures in the past. In fact there were one six facilities, like the one planned for Saskatchewan in Canada, and only Vancouver remains. He said government funding cuts caused the others to close.
