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 …
Love enough to share: Help pave a road to hope
Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program
Residential Treatment Services offers hope to people whose addiction to alcohol and drugs makes them feel hopeless. The agency operates four local facilities and offers … Along with Santa's Helper, Love Enough to Share helps the National Alliance on …
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Health Calendar: Breast cancer support group in Long Beach, Lupus support …
Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program
For women diagnosed or in treatment. 7-9 p.m. second and … The Long Beach family group, Healing Hearts, offers support for family and friends of drug addicts. 7 p.m. Mondays. … Salvation Army building, 455 E. Spring St., Long Beach. 562-921-7554 or …
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Meal delivery brings Thanksgiving to the needy
Filed under: salvation army drug treatment program
“I worked for the state as a substance abuse counselor,” he said. “We did a lot of this type of thing.” Despite the … The Salvation Army also was serving turkey, ham, and casseroles and cakes baked by local church members at its center at 1955 …
Read more on Macon Telegraph (blog)