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 …

Thanksgiving: Grateful for good meal in Marysville

Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program

The 24-year-old Willows woman came to Marysville two weeks ago and checked into the Salvation Army's Depot Family Crisis Center's drug-treatment program. "I had a drug problem, but I've been clean 21 days, and it's all new now," May said.
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No cash, no problem for Salavation Army donation process in 2012

Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program

… many Salvation Army programs and services including food assistance, emergency rent and utility assistance, affordable day care for children of low income families, a children's shelter for abused and neglected children, alcohol and drug abuse …
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