Photo: Thorpe’s executive director Craig Featherstone says $2 million is still required for the new addiction treatment facility being constructed in Blackfoot, Alberta. - Andrea Nicholl Photo
By Andrea Nicholl
The Thorpe Recovery Centre has officially kicked off their $3 million Building Hope capital campaign, encouraging supporters to help build western Canada’s only residential addiction treatment facility.
The 72-bed detoxification and addictions facility will more than double in size, see the addition of a youth program, longer adult programming, more flexible admission procedures and a continued and enhanced focus on concurrent disorders. The facility will also include a six week residential program and a five to 10 day detoxification program.
“It’s a lot of change, it’s a lot of excitement, it’s a lot of challenge,” said Craig Featherstone, executive director of TRC. “We have a bet that we’re not going to have a mortgage when we’re finished and that’s our goal.”
The $16.25 million project is expected to be complete in 2011 and will sit on a 34-acre parcel of land in Blackfoot, Alberta.
While the government of Alberta has contributed $10 million to the project and funding from the government of Saskatchewan is anticipated, Featherstone says TRC still needs $2 million to reach their capital goal.
“Addiction costs Canada $40 billion a year,” said TRC board chair Stan Parke. “For every dollar invested in recovery there’s a $12 return so I just want to say thank you.
“One thing that we have, I’ve had and society has, is the total wrong face on addiction, on an addicted individual. They are sons and daughters, they’re moms and dads, they’re grandpas and grandmas and they are people just like you and I.”
Mary***, a former crack cocaine addict and client of TRC, testified to the success and services offered by the addiction treatment facility.
“Entering treatment was the best thing that happened to me, it truly saved my life,” she said of her long term sobriety and employment with Thorpe. “There is life and happiness beyond the addiction and because of what TRC has given me, today I have a home, a loving husband and two beautiful daughters.”
Featherstone says the vision to be a widely recognized leader in the addictions field will not only come from the bricks of a new building or design of the facility, but through compassion and care.
“The staff are amazing. Every one of them has a heart for what they’re doing, whether they’re cleaning toilets or delivering health services, they have a desire to be there.”
Wayne King, owner of leadership donor Grit Industries, agreed, saying while construction is “phenomenal” the real heart of the project is in the people.
“This facility is world class and you’ve got to be proud of what you’ve accomplished. It takes knowledgeable people and those people have to care.”
“Addictions, particularly those dealing with alcohol, drugs and gambling, are terrible illnesses that can destroy a person’s health, break up marriages and families (and) can also lead to a job loss,” said Dabir Naqvi, on behalf of leadership donor Husky Energy. “If we are to have healthy communities and lead quality lives facilities such as Thorpe Recovery Centre play a valuable role in our society.”
TRC is a non-profit organization operated by the Walter A. “Slim” Thorpe Recovery Centre Society and offers detox, in-patient treatment, post-treatment program, out patient services, family programming and intervention services for alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.
TRC has helped people beat addictions since 1975 and has treated 14,000 clients since 1988.
“We’ve had an affect on every one of them in some way,” said Parke. “Some may not have sobered up, some may not be clean today, but I can guarantee one thing – there’s been an affect.”
For more information about TRC or the Building Hope Campaign call 780-875-8890.