Leaving the street can be a major challenge for addicted individuals. Often the supportive community needed for their recovery is not out there, so relapse and subsequent return to the street happens frequently. Relapse has the potential to stifle personal optimism effectively. People in recovery need all the help they can get. Because the street experience for an addicted person has often been totally traumatic, those of us outside of this reality have to assist them.
Addiction is a tragic reality that strikes individuals, families and affects communities.
Society is not exempt. But solutions are there. They often are not easy or simple, for either individuals or the community. A former heroin addict, Turvey has been active in developing programs in the Downtown Eastside for the past 20 years.