‘It’s just time to make a change’
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/11/2010 (5693 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The pains of addiction can tear a family apart, but when that same family has a host of supportive, community-based resources to turn to, everyone in the community benefits, Brandon Addictions Awareness Committee chair Rachelle Wilk says.
Wilk spoke candidly about her own experiences with addiction to about 50 people standing shoulder to shoulder in a circle as a show of support during Circle City Hall — the first event of the week to kick off Addictions Awareness Week.
As a recovering alcoholic, Wilk says at first she was hesitant to share her story, but when she realized it was part of her own healing process, and that it could inspire someone else to seek help, she knew what she had to do.
"Alcohol was an obsession for me … I couldn’t leave it alone," she told the crowd. "It was there for me when I was happy, when I was sad or mad. And that first drink always made me feel better, but it was that first that then led to a dozen more and the point of blackout."
Today, Wilk is also vice-chair of the Advisory Committee Western Region, a small subsidiary of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, as well as a secretary-treasurer for the Brandon Friendship Centre.
She believes that the more connected addictions-based resource organizations are to the community, the more chances those who suffer most will be able to find the help they need.
"Because awareness starts at home, events like this reach out to those who maybe don’t know about the support groups in Brandon and the help that is out there," Wilk said. "This will maybe bring them a bit of comfort and help them come forward for help … then that’s something positive for Brandon."
Assiniboine Community College students studying aboriginal community development also took part in the event.
Fred Eastman, Graham Atkinson and Brock Sioux, each in their second year of study, say that education and awareness about the risks and repercussions of addiction start at home. Unfortunately, so do the early stages of addiction, they say.
"There’s a lot of resources out there to help people, but I just think there’s not enough direction towards those resources for the people who need them. They don’t always know where to turn," Eastman told the Sun. "I want to make a change to the way people are living their everyday lives. From my own experiences with family members who have addictions … it’s just time to make a change."
Atkinson agreed, adding that their education is giving them the tools tackle such pervasive issues.
"You have to start with the young people to make a difference for the future," Eastman said. "Being proactive and not reactive … more prevention through education."
Addictions Awareness Week is ongoing across Canada until Friday. Locally, the week of events are sponsored by Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corp., Brandon Friendship Centre and Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.
Through a series of fun and educational activities, it’s hoped the groups will learn about the use and misuse of various substances and related issues, gambling behaviour, healthy choices and community resources.