Shifting My Support of Bruce Oake Recovery Centre

It has been a little over one year since I became aware of the proposed Bruce Oake Recovery Centre to be built at the site of the closed Vimy Arena.  I was immediately in support of this facility.  As I learned more, I became more supportive and was convinced that it was going to be built at what would be the perfect location.  Ground will be broken this August on Bruce Oake's birthday.  Throughout the public consultation process, I have seen people shifting in their position.  This weekend, I found that my position also shifted.

It started out innocently enough.  My partner asked if I knew whatever happened to Mike.

Mike used to be a colleague of mine but we worked at different locations.  We didn't have daily contact but through meetings, we saw each other about once every two weeks.  We met about six years ago and he was very professional and accomplished.  I admired his skills and talents and we became friendly.  That was six years ago.  About two years ago, I noticed a slight change.  He started telling jokes that weren't very funny or appropriate.  He seemed impatient in meetings and it appeared like his work was becoming a little inconsistent.  I didn't think it was a big deal and I thought he might just need a vacation or was experiencing stress.  After all, it was a slight change.  People that worked daily with him started gossiping that his attendance was becoming a problem and he just didn't seem himself.  Then, I heard that his wife left him with their two daughters under the age of 10.  It is sad when a family struggles so I phoned him and offered an ear or anything else that I might be able to do.  His reaction startled me.  He laughed at the situation and made a joke.  People started whispering that he was coming to work high and that he had a problem with drugs and his wife didn't leave as much as she kicked him out.  I had a hard time believing this professional middle-aged man had a problem with drugs.  But, I started noticing he was looking unkempt and he was becoming increasingly irrational in his behavior.  Then, he was escorted out of the building.  Apparently, the whispers were true.  I tried to contact him but his cell phone was disconnected.

A couple of months later, I ran into him as I was going to the grocery store and he was coming out of the liquor store.  This was early Saturday morning.  I barely recognized him.  I tried to talk to him but he was on something.  He only would talk to me for a minute before he rushed off on foot and he didn't even make sense.  I felt conflicted.  He obviously had a problem but a short time earlier he was a productive professional.  He may have made some bad choices and was experiencing the consequences of such, but his daughters never made bad choices.  I thought how much they were also suffering.  Since then, I have heard a number of disturbing rumours but don't really know anything.

So, back to my partner's question.  No.  I really don't know what happened to Mike.  But, I got thinking about him.  He was a good person and I know those girls meant the world to him.  The whole situation was tragic.  All I could do is hope.  I hope that one day he will have a moment when he wants help and he wants to reclaim his life from addiction.  I know that moment may be fleeting.  All I can do is hope that he not confronted with a long waiting list before help is available. I hope these little girls get a chance to have their daddy back.

The more I thought about it, the more my support of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre seemed to shift and I found myself less supportive of the proposed BORC.  My position was shifting because it is only going to be a 50 bed facility.  I don't think it will be enough.

At different points in my life, I have been personally affected by addiction.  I didn't think I was currently.  I was wrong.  Anyone with a pulse is affected by addiction.  I want my friend back.  The need for recovery beds is bigger than we realize.  BORC won't be enough.  But, it is a start. 


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