It's a program that is run by addicts, for addicts and it works says Norm Sharkey, the author of Sanity 365 - Daily Help for Sane Living.
Sharkey was in Yorkton over the weekend to both raise awareness and to help raise funds for a cause that's near and dear to his heart - the "Our House' Program.
The concept is addicts helping addicts and it's a program that helps men and women get off of drugs and stay off of drugs. Addicts live in a house setting with recovered addicts receiving the support they need to recover themselves. There are currently "Our Houses" located in other parts of Canada but as of yet there is nothing in Saskatchewan.
It's Sharkey's goal, along with the help of Saskatchewan Director for the Our House Program (and Esterhazy resident) Gerry Oake, to bring the program to this area.
The pair organized a fundraising Roll-A-Thon Saturday with skaters rolling from Yorkton to Esterhazy to raise money locally to help fund the initiative.
Oake says ideally enough dollars will be raised soon to purchase a house and to get the program up and running. Once the money is there, Our House can begin.
Both men are firm believers in the program. A recovering addict, Oake successfully went through the Our House program himself and Sharkey, also a former addict, started a house in downtown Vancouver.
"I've been clean for 40 years," says Sharkey adding, after working in a recovery house in Ontario he took note of the fact there wasn't a lot out there to really help people hooked on drugs.
"I was hearing from a lot of young people who were going to AA and saying they were getting grief from people because they were talking about drugs and the members were there for alcohol problems... so little by little over a period of a few years I finally said let's get a place going. Four or five of us threw some money together, rented a place and that's how we started."
His first house was in Ontario but when government restrictions began to interfere he decided to move to Vancouver.
"Out there it's like an epidemic... the problem is huge."
He spent much of his time out talking with drug addicts, many of them saying they'd like to get clean but were having difficulty living out on the streets.
"So again I rented an old place and we got going again. That was just about five years ago."
His location has about 16 beds and he tries to help and support as many people in as many ways as possible he says.
One way he came up with was to pen a book. Sanity 365 is a hands on support method that Sharkey says has helped thousands to become and stay drug free.
Not only does it help those who read it, but proceeds from it go towards supporting the Our House Program. A portion of funds raised will also go towards establishing a house in the Yorkton area.
The men are looking for a rural location outside of the city where addicts can go for the support they need to change their lives. They've been fund raising for the past five years to make it happen and Oake says they won't give up until it does.
Having seen troubled people turned away from traditional, government funded programs, Sharkey says the need is real.
Never having slipped back into the habit after 40 years, he says not all drug addicts have the same success so ongoing support is needed - and who better to provide it than someone who has "been there?"
"The program is all addict to addict... we do a lot of talking and listening. We try to get them to focus on why they're feeling the way they are."
More often than not, the addict places the blame on another when in fact, responsibility lies within says Sharkey.
"We say anytime 'I have a problem, it's me'... we have no time limits... whatever length of time it takes is the time we'll spend... It's about talking, taking responsibility and change.
"Another big thing is to learn how to love yourself. Once you do that you can love other people."
The benefit of the Our House program he adds, is there is 24 hour a day, seven day a week, unconditional support.
"If you end up back with the people you were using with, chances are high you will get sucked back in... you need to be with people who are serious about staying clean, get the support from them until you're able to support yourself."
Nobody is turned away from Our House either. If you're in need, there are people to help.
Working a full time job while trying to get a local Our House established, Oake says he would welcome any and all help available. If you want to help out with fundraising, if you have a house or funding to donate, or are interested in getting involved in any way call Oake at (306) 745-7241 or email: [email protected].
"Another big way they can help out," says Oake, "is by buying the book." Sanity 365 is available at all major book stores or by visiting: www.sanity365.com. More information is also available about the program and the author on the same site.
