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Pott described recovery as “a hard road” and said the toughest part is deciding to get help. “Addicts are happy where they are,” he said. “I know what that‘s about from personal experience.” Pott didn‘t go through rehab. Instead he went to jail and it helped his recovery. “I was clean when I was released and decided to stay clean,” he said Tuesday at the Lakehead Social Planning Council offices. Pott took part in a three-month speaker school which taught him to communicate better and helped raise his confidence. “There‘s a lot of addicts (in Thunder Bay) and they can‘t get help right away,” he said. “I think we need to do more in that area to make sure help is more readily available.‘‘ The speaking class made him more comfortable talking about addiction, he said, adding it also has given him more insight into himself. “I think we all have something to say about different issues. If more people spoke up society would be a better place,” Pott said. Nine people graduated from the speakers school Tuesday night. “Everyone in the class has learned a lot about other people‘s issues,” said school co-ordinator Robin Faye. “It has been a real sharing experience and it‘s helped each person gain confidence.” The goal is to help people improve their communities and build skills they can use, she said. “The hope is someone feels more confident, then maybe they take a course in college or university,” she said. The school is funded by the Public Service Alliance of Canada Social Justice Fund and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. It is a collaboration of the Lakehead Social Planning Council, the Thunder Bay and District Injured Workers‘ Support Group and Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic. “We started this to give a voice to vulnerable people in society,” said Steve Mantis, chairman of the school and treasurer of the injured workers support group. “The systems we have in place really undermine individuals‘ ability to cope in society. “We try to give them confidence and abilities to move forward, tell their stories, and conquer their own challenges,” Mantis said. Top of Page |
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September 2, 2010, 8:49 am |