NEWSLETTER - Canadian Harm Reduction Network

Program `saved my life'Alcoholic battles demons with help of United WayIdol finalists at run to kick-start agency's campaignFRANK CALLEJA, Toronto StarSTAFF REPORTERThere's no mistaking the mischievous glint in Cheryl Latus' blue eyes, a flickering light that hints atmerriment and misery at the same time.And that's been pretty much the life of the 51-year-old Toronto alcoholic who, thanks to a United Wayfundedagency, is battling to return to a normal existence without a bottle of booze in her purse."I've got my own place now. It's got a little kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a colour TV. I really likeit," says Latus, who because of a stroke needs a wheelchair to get around."I used to wander into a bar to watch Archie Bunker (star of the television sitcom All in the Family). NowI've got 60 stations. Isn't that a hoot?" Latus says with a throaty chuckle.She's been a client for years at St. Stephen's Community House on Bellevue Ave. in Toronto — the pastthree years in a program for high-risk people with alcohol or drug addictions.In Latus' case, the agency receives direct payment of her provincial disability pension and sets up a budgetfor her. Her rent is automatically paid and Latus gets weekly cash payments for groceries and personalnecessities, which she must buy herself.She receives counselling and help for her alcohol addiction and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.Latus spent years on the street, addled by booze and panhandling, when she wasn't being scraped off thesidewalk and rushed by ambulance to a hospital. Drinking became all-consuming sometime around 1986,she says.She talks about her three marriages and serving jail time for drunkenness. She recalls her younger years,when she was one of the first female motorcycle racers on a Kawasaki racing team at Cayuga Speedway."I wrote four children's books, did a little modelling now and then," she says."My first husband died, my best girlfriend killed herself with a shotgun and I found what cheap Chinesecooking wine can do to your head when you want to forget," she said.These days, she's rekindled a passion for knitting and is starting a business knitting hats, sweaters, glovesand scarves "for whoever wants them.""I don't drink while I'm knitting. It would be a sacrilege to my wool," Latus jokes.Gael Gilbert, a program co-ordinator with St. Stephen's, says "Cheryl has travelled a long route from thestreet to her apartment. She's still got a way to go."For three years, Gilbert has run a United Way-funded program she founded known as the Harm ReductionProject, which is part of the St. Stephen's Corner Drop-In program, founded in 1986.The project, Latus says, "has saved my life. I believe it."St. Stephen's became a United Way agency in 1974 and this year will get $536,161 in agency funding, upfrom $467,578 last year. The Corner Drop-In program has a $50,876 budget this year.The agency, with more than 100 paid staff, works in partnership with the community on social, health,educational and recreational programs for all age groups, primarily in the Kensington Market community.Programs include an employment training centre, a drop-in for homeless and marginally housed adults,youth services, language training, supportive housing for men with mental disabilities, and newcomerservices.The majority of clients are from Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and African communities. For informationon times and availability of programs, call 416-925-2103.“There are no more thorough prudes than those who have some littlesecret to hide.” [George Sands, 1804-76]Toronto Harm Reduction Task Forcewww.torontoharmreduction.org