After six years of brainstorming, planning and consultation with the City of Richmond and various organizations like Vancouver Coastal Health, Richmond finally has its own womens recovery house.
On Friday, the Turning Point Recovery Society had their official open house for their 9-resident facility that helps women overcome their battles with substance addiction by providing structure, a constant support network and group counseling.
Representatives from the city, non-profit organizations and community members came for a tour of the building and to meet staff, counselors and residents. Located in Steveston and leased from the City of Richmond, it has been operating since November, said Turning Point executive director Brenda Plant.
Weve been there for two months operating at 100 per cent capacity. We have a waitlist already, and weve had no incidents with neighbours (who) have been very receptive, said Plant.
Previously, before we opened in November, women with addiction issues seeking residential support recovery, there was nowhere for them to get help in Richmond.
Instead, women had to travel to the societys 30-year-old Vancouver co-ed location, where there is a constant waitlist for the 22 beds. She said they are by no means duplicating effort with the addition of another house, but simply responding to healthcare needs.
The needs have risen in conjunction with the rising population in the Lower Mainland, but also because there is now more recognition in society, she said.
As we become more aware, and addiction itself becomes more de-stigmatized, theres less shame. A lot more people are willing to publically seek help as opposed to living with shame and isolation.
Tamara is one such example.
Looking like any other 28-year-old, she was the first client of the Richmond house and this is her first experience being in a recovery program. Suffering from alcohol abuse, she said she wasnt sure at first if this type of program was for her -- but decided to join after taking the advice of a professional.
Its been great so far. Its always good having (counselors and peers) around (at all times), she said, adding it works better than traditional therapy where people often have to wait a week between sessions.
Amy is another resident who has been living at the house for just a week. A university student, she also battles with alcohol addiction something she used to cope with the stresses of school and work. When she was still taking classes three years ago, it started by drinking and partying with friends, but she soon crossed what she called an invisible line.
I also worked at a restaurant, and I would be drinking at work, she recalled. Id drink in the morning, and other times when it wasnt acceptable.
Plant stressed that often it is just regular people who are affected by substance abuse and are in need of assistance, and while there is much more acceptance in the community now there are still some myths that need to be dispelled. The two biggest misconceptions are that people believe are property values will decline, and that the neighbourhood will become unsafe.
Our residents dont drink and use drugs, they cant be at our site if they are doing that. We have a zero-tolerance policy.
Turning point also runs a mens recovery house on Odlin Road that was met with fierce opposition when it opened in 1999. Hundreds of people protested, but since then it has operated without incident, said Plant.
One service unique to Richmond is domestic abuse counseling for women dealing with substance addictions, 75 to 80 per cent of whom at some point have been a victim of domestic or relationship abuse, she said. Specialists are brought in to counsel those affected; a program that Plant hopes to fully implement in Vancouver as well.
For more information about the Turning Point Recovery Society and the programs offered, call 604-303-6844.
