Sober space for Islanders fighting addictions proves popular

A Charlottetown drop-in social centre for people recovering from addictions has seen the number of people coming through its doors climb steadily since opening in November.

Sister Laura Kelly opened SAFEafter seeing a lack of community-oriented spaces for people with addictions who are sober at the time.

One of the worst things for someone trying to get well is to isolate. Sister Laura Kelly

At firstonly about a dozen people came to the centrebut now nightly attendance is typically double that, and sometimesnearly 50 people are there a response Kelly calls "totally awesome."

"It's been busy for me and for our volunteers, but in all actuality I'mvery impressed with the level of support in the community. People love the place," she said.

"There's been times I felt overwhelmed,and other times I've felt so full of joy," she said. "The stuff that needs to be done sometimes overwhelms me but on the other side it's all worth it."

'Without the pull of alcohol'

SAFE stands for Sober and Friendly Environment, and the centre is open to adultsunder40.

In recovery for 28 years herself, Kelly said she wanted to create a sober environment for people tohang out, socialize and have fun without drugs or alcohol.

"I worked as an addictions counsellor for a number years and I just got tired of watching people die. It seems lately there are more drugs around and it's getting even worse since I've started," Kelly said.

"I wanted to have a space where they could go, come have some leisure, some funwithout the pull of alcohol or substances."

'You're allowed back tomorrow'

As long as people are soberthey are welcome at the centre, Kelly said.

"Because even when they slip,we let them know that's OK, you can still do it. Keep coming back, you're allowed back tomorrow. It's just,come back when you're clean," Kelly said.

"They're making real connections. Sometimes it's not even the activities here, sometimesthey go down to the back corner and chat. Especially after there's beensome tragedies, with people dying and whatnot, sometimes people justneed to express that, and that's so healing for them."

It's common to walk in on any given night and see peopleplaying cards, watching sports on televisionor learning how to play guitar. There are books and games.

The centre has also been given tickets to attendlocal sports games andgo bowling.

"We don't care what people are doing as long as they're straight," Kelly said.

The centre is open five nights a week and would open seven nights if there were more volunteers, Kelly said. She'd also like to offer daytime programmingfor children and parents.

'Keep chasing that high'

Cory Levy is a volunteer at the centreand helps teach guitar to clients who want to learn.

A guitar player for over 20 years, Levy hasalso struggled with addiction andcountshimself lucky to be alive after surviving a motorcycle crash and an altercationwithpolice.

"I believe that those should be eye-openers for somebody, but yet, you kind of turn a blind eye to that, and you keep chasing that high," he said.

Levy said his volunteer work has helped him in his sobriety, and allowed him to connect with the clients at SAFE.

"I've been in their shoes what I've learned in recovery is that giving back to the community is one of the best things you can do," he said."I don't regret the past, I just look to the future. I know what I can achieve."

'This helps with the loneliness'

Kelly saidactivitiesavailable at SAFE have helped tominimize the risk of relapse while promotingharm reduction.

"One of the worst things for someone trying to get well is to isolate," she said. "You tend to hang out with the people that are not healthy and you can't get away from it or you close off entirely and you're bored or depressed or lonely.

"This helps with the loneliness. This helps with developing connections, so that you can go outand learn some things and realize people are wanting to help you out."

Kelly said she hopes the success of SAFEwill inspireothers on P.E.I.to open similar spaces.

"I'm so glad to have people like Sister Laura here doing things like this," said Levy.

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