Proving its worth

That’s what the Addiction Recovery Drop-in Center in Stephenville, located in the Harmon Mall on Carolina Avenue and operated by Don Russell, is all about.

Russell wanted to get well established and has been running the center for a year before making himself and the operation known to the media. He did so at a Women’s Wellness Workshop held on Wednesday of last week while he was telling those in attendance about the facility.

The center has had 1,084 visitations to date, with a lot of people in recovery or seeking recovery and Russell was quick to point out that a lot of them are repeat visitors who come to the facility because it is a place to have a talk, share and confide.

In recovery himself since 1984, Russell is a retired counsellor who started up the self-help spiritual model drop-in center because of a need for it in the community.

People who drop by can have a game of pool on a donated table, a coffee or even a game of darts or cards. It’s all about fellowship and working towards healing from whatever addiction a person might have, from drugs to gambling to alcohol.

Russell, who has a Masters in social work and worked away in a private practice for nine years, is quick to point out that he is retired from counseling and has set up this drop-in center purely because he seen the need for it.

He said it became a reality because of support from the Town of Stephenville, along with private donations from businesses and individuals in the community. From a reduced rental rate to different companies providing donations to help towards the rent and other needs, it’s become a reality.

Not only are there locals taking advantage of it but also people who visit during the summer months and even one visitor who makes the trek from Corner Brook pretty well weekly.

Russell said a lot of people who drop in are taking advantage of counseling from different services provided in Stephenville but still like to drop by because peers – people with the same problem – like to talk to each other.

The drop-in center is a self-help spiritual model where people are helping people. Despite a lot of those who attend having lost families and jobs, rather than go to self-pity, they learn to rely on each other. Some even reconnect with family.

For Russell the best part is he has no board of directors to answer to, the drop-in center is relaxed with no appointments and 30 to 40 people are walking in per week and getting solace from interacting with others during the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

It’s a formula that seems to be working after a full year in operation and anyone with a dependency issue should certainly drop by. It can’t hurt to check it out.

That’s what the Addiction Recovery Drop-in Center in Stephenville, located in the Harmon Mall on Carolina Avenue and operated by Don Russell, is all about.

Russell wanted to get well established and has been running the center for a year before making himself and the operation known to the media. He did so at a Women’s Wellness Workshop held on Wednesday of last week while he was telling those in attendance about the facility.

The center has had 1,084 visitations to date, with a lot of people in recovery or seeking recovery and Russell was quick to point out that a lot of them are repeat visitors who come to the facility because it is a place to have a talk, share and confide.

In recovery himself since 1984, Russell is a retired counsellor who started up the self-help spiritual model drop-in center because of a need for it in the community.

People who drop by can have a game of pool on a donated table, a coffee or even a game of darts or cards. It’s all about fellowship and working towards healing from whatever addiction a person might have, from drugs to gambling to alcohol.

Russell, who has a Masters in social work and worked away in a private practice for nine years, is quick to point out that he is retired from counseling and has set up this drop-in center purely because he seen the need for it.

He said it became a reality because of support from the Town of Stephenville, along with private donations from businesses and individuals in the community. From a reduced rental rate to different companies providing donations to help towards the rent and other needs, it’s become a reality.

Not only are there locals taking advantage of it but also people who visit during the summer months and even one visitor who makes the trek from Corner Brook pretty well weekly.

Russell said a lot of people who drop in are taking advantage of counseling from different services provided in Stephenville but still like to drop by because peers – people with the same problem – like to talk to each other.

The drop-in center is a self-help spiritual model where people are helping people. Despite a lot of those who attend having lost families and jobs, rather than go to self-pity, they learn to rely on each other. Some even reconnect with family.

For Russell the best part is he has no board of directors to answer to, the drop-in center is relaxed with no appointments and 30 to 40 people are walking in per week and getting solace from interacting with others during the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

It’s a formula that seems to be working after a full year in operation and anyone with a dependency issue should certainly drop by. It can’t hurt to check it out.