IN THIS ISSUE
Annual Outcomes Report
Food Addiction Similar to Drug Addiction
Cannabis a "gateway" to drug use
Addictive Drugs Hijack Brain
Prescription Drug abuse on the rise
Upcoming events
Memoirs Book
Last Door Store
$76,000 raised so far, thank you
Successful Alumni
Door Slam
Alumni of the Month
QUICK LINKS
  


  
  

Annual Outcomes Report

for 2010 stats

  • 100% of Youth Program clients were poly drug users.  
     
  • Youth Program Primary "drugs of choice" was Marijuana followed closely by Alcohol and Crack/Cocaine.   
     
  • 75% of Adult Program Clients reported abstinence from all alcohol and drugs at follow up.  

To review Last Door's Annual Adult Program and Youth Program Outcomes Report

Click here  

Research Suggests that Clinical Symptoms of Food Addiction are Similar to Symptoms of Drug Addiction

food

 ...people can become dependent on highly palatable foods and engage in a compulsive pattern of consumption, similar to the behaviours we observe in drug addicts and those with alcoholism.

  

To read more please click here

Cannabis a "gateway" to drug use

 

Weekly cannabis users are two to three times more likely to take up other drugs than occasional users. And not just illegal substances such as amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine. Daily cannabis smokers proved six times more likely than occasional users to start smoking cigarettes, demonstrating what Dr Wendy Swift from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre calls ''the reverse gateway''.

 

To read more please click here

 

Addictive Drugs Hijack Brain's Fundamental Pathways

 

Scientists have proved that the same area of the brain that is activated when the body craves salt ''lights up'' in response to cocaine or opium, suggesting addictive drugs have hijacked a pathway of the brain used for instinctive behaviour.

To read more please click here

 

Prescription Drug abuse on the rise worldwide

drugs

Some 13 million people across Europe, Russia, and other parts of the world remain largely dependent on Afghanistan's poppy production to fuel their addiction to heroin, according to a new UN report on global use of illicit drugs. 

 

To read more please click here

FEATURED LINKS
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substance

 

Upcoming 2011 Events
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

SUPPORT US 

 

canada helps 


Donating to the Last Door is easy and affordable on anyone's budget!
  

How It Works:

  1. Click the above link and enter amount, frequency, and any special designations to your donation.
  2. Add this donation to your checkout Giving Basket.
  3. Pay for the donation, receive a receipt, and Canada Helps will disburse your donation to Last Door.
PLANNED GIVING
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Are you thinking about Planned Giving? 
Everyone benefits from the power of a Planned Gift- you, your family and your charity. Of course, we want to ensure that each of these groups receives the maximum benefit possible; this is why Last Door Recovery Society offers a wide range of  arrangements. 
Please call 604-525-9771 to organize your gift giving or  learn more about Planned Giving by
Last Door gardens are in full bloom!
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Check out our new

Rose Garden

 

Last Door takes pride in its community.  The lawns and gardens of all five facilities beautify our neighbourhood and allow the residents to experience therapeutic benefits of horticulture.

 

 

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
be part of

Last Door's first book of memoirs will feature letters of life stories from people affected by Last Door. 

 

Do you have a letter or wish to write a letter you would like to have considered published?  if yes please mail, fax, or email your letter to us.  A selection committee will determine which letters get published.  

 

learn more here

LAST DOOR STORE
Pin

Personalized Engraved

Clean Date 

sh1

 

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order today! 

 

"LIKE US"

CONTEST

Congrats

Joe on winning

LIke Us 

join the conversation

  facebook.com/NewWestRecovery

Contest Closed June 30th


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Contact us
crest new

 

Last Door Adult Program

323 8th Street

New Westminster, BC

V3M 3R3

t: 604-525-9771

f: 604-525-3896

toll free: 1-888-525-9771

[email protected] 

  

 

Last Door Youth Program 

109 Ash St.

New Westminster, BC

V3M 3M2

t: 604-520-3587

f: 604-521-1889

[email protected] 

 

 

 Last Door Family Program

327 8th Street

New Westminster, BC

V3M 3R3

t: 604-516-0060

[email protected] 

 

 

www.lastdoor.org 

 

 

Thank you,

Thank you for taking the time to read our monthly emailed newsletter. 

 

Please forward this newsletter on to people you may  think would be happy to hear from Last Door.

Sincerely,

 
Giuseppe2
Giuseppe Ganci
Last Door
Director of Community Development
1-888-525-9771 

 


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Join Our Mailing List

 

Monthly Newsletter Vol#27

July/2011

Clear logo

Greetings!

 

 

davidp

David Pavlus

Last Door Recovery Society

Executive Director  

 

 

 

This has been another growth year for Last Door, not so much in terms of outward size but in terms of internal growth. Refinements to the programming have been developed and implemented based largely on staff incentive.

 

I took a month long, stay at home vacation in the Spring. Other than having a very good rest I was very pleased to see how well things managed in my absence. Once again I am impressed with our staff and management team. Things rolled along, decisions were made, problems were solved.  I haven't seen myself as indispensible to Last Door for many years now and this was a verification that everyone plays a significant role in daily life at Last Door from the guys whose chore is sweeping the floor to Louise and the Board who manage our finances. As Pedro used to say "the house don't run if the dishes ain't done."

 

The things that measure success at Last Door have always been about how people feel and how inspiring the environment is. Each year someone tells me that "you can feel the energy when you walk in the door." This is what measures success beyond property, numbers, contracts and even clean time. We ask ourselves daily if the things that really matter are present in our daily lives at the Door - time for the new guy, integrity, honesty, caring about the guy next to you and having fun. This might not be your typical organizational checklist but these measurements are what spell success for our recovery community.

 

We look forward to the coming year and what it might bring. Everyone is valued in Last Door...the Moms and Dads, the kids, the wives and girlfriends, the staff, the local community, the Board, the alumnus, the donors......we value and are grateful for what each person has to offer.

 

Thanks to everyone who is involved and we look forward to 2011.

 

David Pavlus

New Community Space Fundraising Campaign

   

Speaking of Money....................................

thermoGrouproom

Now we've done it! In the course of our 29 year history we've relied on our generous friends and alumni for support in raising money to complete projects.  

 

This past week we launched a timely effort to raise the additional capital funds to build a new group room, community meeting space and family gathering area on the site of our Heritage treatment centre.   Economic cycles, grants and government funding have been difficult in the last two years; however our mission to serve those persons seeking recovery can not succumb to economic cycles. We need your help!

 

The goal is to create a useful year-round building that conforms to zoning and use guidelines. We decided on a free-standing building with a separate washroom, outside barbeque and a 600 square foot group and activity room. (See the Architectural Rendering Below) The development of these designs required architectural, engineering and surveying expertise and our construction estimates are realistic and manageable with our fund-raising efforts.

 

Phase One of the construction was launched with an initial grant from Fraser Health toward the design and development of this project. Further donations from a parent and her group of corporate supporters, other donors and the generous donations of materials from trades and alumni also got Phase One off the ground.  

 

The advantage of the larger project is a new all weather, fully serviced out building that conforms to the New Westminster Building code while providing additional circulating, recreational, socialization and treatment space. The project also serves to enclose the rear yard with a rear security wall. The expansion of space will allow Last Door to continue the program improvements we are committed to - we are building a place to laugh, cook food, share story and meet with friends and family, a space for celebration and restoration.

 

We need you to help us build a continuing legacy for clients and their families with your donation, whether $100, $200, $1000 or $5,000 or $100,000 dollars. Help us leave a landmark in New Westminster, the "Recovery Capital of Canada!" Take our thermometer over the top with your donation!

 

Thank you in advance for your support. Donations can be made by cheque (payable to Last Door Recovery Society), credit card, cash or "In Kind" (call Nick or Blair for a list of "In Kind" items needed) or online via canadahelps.org All donations are eligible for Federal charitable donation receipts.

 

Feel free to call me if you would like further information.

Nick Ringma ICADC ICCDP

604-525-9771

The construction of our new community meeting space/ group room/ dinning area has started. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project to date

 

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Architect's rendering of new group room

Last Door Alumni Success

Congratulations to Doug Eastwood, Last Door Alumni and Last Door Board Member for his appointment by the Provincial Government to the Board of Governors of the Justice Institute of B.C. 

 

dougeastwood

Doug Eastwood, Last Door Alumni and Board Member

 

The Justice Institute (JIBC) is a college which provides training and instruction to all municipal police officers, fire, paramedics, correctional officers, sheriffs, court staff etc. It also has programs for gaming and forestry enforcement, drug and alcohol counselling and emergency management among others. It is a pretty unique institution and is internationally respected. Many countries send their first responders to the JIBC for training so that they can become instructors in their home jurisdiction.

 

The Board of Governors is responsible for the overall governance of the institution which has a budget of $40 million and a staff of 700.

 

 

jibc

 

The Justice Institute has one of it's largest facilities in New Westminster

Five minutes from Last Door's five facilities

  

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New Westminster Campus

12th Annual Last Door Invitational
RECOVERY Slo-Pitch Tournament

 

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DOOR SLAM 2011

  RSVP or be part of the discussions on facebook 

Find us on Facebook

 

Last Door Recovery Society has been presenting its Annual Door Slam Invitational Recovery Slo-Pitch Tournament in New Westminster, BC since 1999. 

The weekend attracts over 1000 recovering addicts and is held at ball fields in and around New Westminster, BC with Moody Park being the main venue featuring registration, food, music and a kid's zone.

Door Slam is another means for Last Door to demonstrate its belief in good citizenship by making community contributions, increasing community awareness and fostering goodwill.  Families, Alumni and friends of Last Door are all welcome to participate in this community event as well as the general public.

2011 Tournament Highlights include:

�          30 Recovery Teams from BC and the US 
�          BBQ Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 6 pm 
�          Kids zone at Moody park, Saturday noon - 4 pm
�          Raffle

Would you like to Volunteer or be involved?

Call 604-525-9771 or email [email protected]  

Special thanks to:

New Westminster Parks and Recreation

Alumni of the Month

tyler

Alberta Alumni Tyler F

      What it was like before Last Door

Well my addiction started at age 14 when it was my first time drinking and I gave myself alcohol poisoning and blacked out. From there it only progressed and I started using any drug that was available. I continuously used till I blacked out every time and was waking up in the drunk tank and usually with a pocket of charges for assaults, impaired driving etc.  At my 18th b-day I was introduced to Cocaine and I found that it would sober me up and I wouldn't become that violent guy anymore and gave me the greatest feeling so I thought.  By the time I was 20 I had hooked up with my wife now and had hid my drug problem from her disappearing for days on end and finding every excuse that I could come up with where I was, what I was doing, who I was with. I usually blamed it all on drinking and said I just got drunk and passed out. At 21 we had our first child and had a second by the time I was 24. Now I still carried my addiction repeating the same crap over and over plus trying to hold down a job, I somehow managed; but my life revolved around tracing my steps from the night before phoning friends and getting my stories straight to tell my wife why I never made it home, meanwhile trying to work on no sleep and a thousand things going through my mind and trying to cover my lies after lies. My life was completely unmanageable missing kids birthdays even showing late Christmas morning with no sleep with my kids waiting patiently wondering where I was. 

 

I remember several times pleading with my wife not to kick me out just give me one more chance I would promise I would never do it again. Sure enough one night later I was in the same boat. The first few years of using drugs seemed ok but the last 8yrs were always the same - I ended up by myself up for days and towards the end I remember I wanted to quit so bad and couldn't and I would just sit there by myself and get high and think about my kids knowing they would be staring out the window wondering when dad was coming home. I hated my life so bad and yet thought if I told anybody how bad my using was I would be all alone mostly thinking Sara would leave me with my kids and yet thinking every time I used I could not stop. My life was completely unmanageable and I was aware of it. Finally I overdosed and ended up in the hospital after I stood up for my best friend 3 days earlier in his wedding party. The doctor phoned Sarah and my dad neither wanted to see me they were so hurt. I woke up later and had five buddies standing over me one of them was taking my tuxedo off me cause he had to return it to the rental store because it was late. They told me my secret was out of the bag and everybody new about it and I could just come clean about everything. That moment there I just didn't seem to care anymore as I felt the biggest relief ever all the lies and stories and phone calls could stop I'll never forget that moment! Luckily one of my best friends had gone to the Last Door and he made a call and I went straight from the hospital in Alberta to New Westminster to get a new life.

 

 

    What it was like at Last Door 

 

I was very scared arriving for my first day at Last Door, not knowing what to think as I landed in Abbotsford and a couple of people picked me up from the airport just so happy and friendly joking around, they made me feel real at home.  I arrived and they took my bags from me and said not to worry about them.  The next morning I came into the house and was introduced to all these people just everywhere, all different types of characters all mixed in one house and yet all of them so happy and friendly. It made me feel so good and comfortable. From there I went to my first NA meeting down the street and yet so nervous introducing myself getting a white fob and everyone cheering and shouting it was like getting a reward. And then back to the house and it was group time I was put into Dave's group and I had no idea what to expect in this closed room door. In there I remember this man so happy his life was getting back together I had listened to a bit of his story and I was so sad in that I could relate it to mine but he wanted to see his parents out east so bad but couldn't afford it, and I seen the councillors reach in their pockets and said hey here's the money - you book a flight and go see your parents, I was just full of emotions and new there, these people care about us and want to see us get better!!  As time past I was given chores and slowly got to be friends with the majority of the house; it felt like my house with a bunch of good friends. I learned there about the 12 steps of narcotics anonymous and through meetings and living there I was able to see how they worked in people's lives and had made them new people. The Last Door gave me a whole new perception on life I seriously learned more there than I ever would've imagined was possible. I made very good friends I learned to be respectful, responsible, honest, a son, a friend, a brother, a husband, and the best part the best father to my kids they could have. There were many great things about the door I could go on and on but the most important thing was they showed me how to live life how to be a stand up guy!!

  

    Life after Last Door back in Alberta

 

 

My first time home was to see my third child be born it was the first time I made it on time and clean!!! Honestly my life back in Alberta took a bit to adjust too I really missed hitting the gym everyday stopping at Fabutan and then starbucks, lol. No I came back I had all the tools i was taught I had finished my twelve steps I got a great sponsor back in Alberta I found meetings i just did what I was told to do and everything worked out. I got everything that meant anything to me back in my life I got married most of all and became the best father husband I can.  Today my life is great - surely there are still learning curves to deal with but I deal with them as they arrive. My life is so simple and the easiest way for me to keep it is honesty.  Today I hang out with family and friends my kids and wife no longer stress were I am. I make it to all special events on time work is just another day I enjoy it. Nothing is a chore anymore I take one day at a time and try to be  the best father ,son ,friend, husband I can I'm not saying I'm a saint but I do enjoy life today and it is absolutely nothing like it was before the door. I would never be where I am today without my friends, Last Door and my family supporting me through everything and still to this day.

 

Thank you from Alberta,

 

Tyler F

 

Clean Date, March 5 2008