June 2014/July 2014

RICEPaper
“People Need People”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of WBRZ-ABC
Paul Shishima & Company
from 18-25 years old
with 60% male 40%
female.
Terri Reynolds,
AADAP’s Outpatient
Outreach Program
Coordinator, who
also heads the agency’s
needle exchange
program shared that
she has seen a rise with
the youth and heroin
addictions, including
a rise in overdose and
death amongst the
adult populations she
serves. She explained
that within the past
seven months, her unit
has lost two males and
one female to heroin
in costs. Stats show that
overdose. Terri added
from 2008 -20009, there
that she has also seen a
was a 90% increase in
rise in the young Asian
heroin. From 2010-13,
the percentage remained population utilizing
AADAP’s needle
the same. The data is
exchange program. She
based on discharge
said, “This population
numbers and not on
is very discreet, are
admission rates.
wealthy young Asians,
Daniza Orellana,
appear functional and
Clinic Director of the
whose method of choice
BAARTPROGRAMS
is to inject heroin. They
Lynwood, who manages
come to South Los
the La Puente/Lynwood
clinic stated she has seen Angeles to pick up their
needles.”
a definite rise in the use
Heroin use among
of heroin. She shared that
the population’s consists youth is corroborated in
the Olympia Academy
of those younger than
by Patty Abrantes, the
21 year-old females and
they come with having a program director. She
10-year span of addiction has seen a significant
continued on page 2
to heroin. The ages range
Heroin on the High
By Rahimah Shah, Development Associate
O
ver the past months,
news reports on the
late actor, Phillip
Seymour and actress
Peaches Geldof, both who
passed from suspected overdoses on heroin
highlights the widely reported, dramatic increase
of heroin availability
on the East Coast. The
question of whether that
epidemic has reached the
West Coast was asked in
interviews conducted by
those in the trenches on
this issue of heroin use in
the Los Angeles Country.
Wayne Sugita, Chief
Deputy Director of SAPC
shared that anecdotally
there has been an
increase of heroin usage
www.aadapinc.org
AADAP booklet 052714.indd 1
and they are seeing this
increase in the younger
population. Due to the
longer amount of time it
takes to collect data, Mr.
Sugita shared that he did
not have actual concrete
information. He advised
to speak with individuals
that are on the front lines
and in the trenches, so to
speak, with this matter in
the Los Angeles area.
In an interview with
Desirée CrèvecoeurMacPhail, PhD, UCLA
Research Psychologist
& Principal Investigator,
Desiree provided
statistical information
that there has been
an overall increase in
availability and decrease
My Experience
With AADAP’s
Therapeutic
Communities
By Gabriela Rodriguez, AADAP
Cal State University EPIC Intern
D
rug addiction is undeniably
a known problem to count
less people around the
world. Many people go through
addiction themselves and their
family members and friends suffer in the process. Our society is
fortunate enough to have treatment programs for those who
truly want and need help. Reasons to choose treatment prove
to be a challenging concept,
but can be a successful one. We
found it important to share why
some of our upper phaser clients
chose treatment and how it has
impacted their life for the best.
AADAP has a broad
range of programs that service
many people who need help
continued on page 2
What’s Inside
Volume 40, Issue 4, June/July 2014
Heroin on the High.......................1
TC & OA Communities................1
Showtime 2014!...........................2
Day Treatment Grads...................3
38th Drug Court Grads................3
CP Underage Drinking Summit...4
Benson Pheng (1941-2014).........5
YFP Family Picnic........................5
Mothers Day.................................6
Cesar Chavez...............................6
Manzanar......................................7
Walk Now for Autism Speaks......7
Staff Voices...................................8
June / July 2014
Rice Paper
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5/30/14 10:47 AM
Heroin on
the High
continued from page 1
increase in the past
few years and Asian
American youth are also
included. Mike Watanabe,
AADAP’s President &
CEO, spoke to a young
Korean female client who
reported prevalent use
of heroin amongst her
peers. Historically, cultural
taboos about bringing
shame on the family is
such that the appearance
of a youth in treatment
can be extrapolated into
a much larger population
who are using heroin.
Among adults, James
Stinson, Director of
Therapeutic Community
(TC), shared, “We are not
only looking at the heroin
scene. We are looking
at the oxycontin and
vicodin use. The TC does
have an increase in that
population.”
Just as Wayne Sugita
explained, comprehensive
data collection takes time.
However, it appears that
although young Asians
are not showing up in
great numbers at our
treatment programs,
there is good evidence
that there is an increase
in the young Asian
population. Although the
evidence seems anecdotal
at this time, and hard data
has not yet borne out the
theory, it is clear that the
reemergence of heroin on
the streets of Los Angeles
and among young addicts
in the Asian American
community bears
continued hard study. A
study of history makes
it clear how quickly
the wild fire of heroin
addiction can spread.
My Experience With
AADAP’s Therapeutic
Communities
with drug addiction. Two of those programs
are AADAP’s Therapeutic Community (TC)
and Olympia Academy (OA). TC clients take
on a 12-18 month program to shift behavior
and attitudes towards drug addiction. OA
caters to youth from the ages 14-17 ½ years
and provides 24-7 supervised support groups
and interventions. Both TC and OA clients
were interviewed in a semi-structured group
interview. Clients ranged from 15-50 years old
and each client had their drug of choice ranging
from marijuana, alcohol, meth, heroine and
prescription pills.
Each client had different, yet similar
responses to treatment. Each client also had
difficulties realizing their problem at first. Some
refused to get help, but family held a huge role.
Not only was family a factor, but their own
strength was ultimately the largest factor. Other
reasons that our clients chose treatment was the
imminent reality of their kids being taken away
and frightening near-death experiences. One
TC client shared, “Seeing my baby being born”
was a major motivation. An OA client was on a
path to destruction early on and was admitted
2
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AADAP booklet 052714.indd 2
June / July 2014
Photo Credit: Redwood Cliffs Rehab
continued from page 1
into the hospital for an overdose. This was her
wake-up call. The client shared, “I was living
under reality and my addiction could have ended
my life.” When she was afforded a second chance
after that life-altering event, she chose to commit
and seek help.
Another TC client mentioned, she was
kicked out from another program and did
not learn very much from it. However, now
at AADAP, she chose to be serious about her
sobriety and, today, has acquired a full-time job
through AADAP. This client was against receiving
jail time, but the main reason she wanted change
was for her children. She shared, “I really wanted
to get better for them.”
Many people talk about drug addiction, but
the initiative taken to receive treatment is not
discussed as much as could be. With the services
that AADAP provides to assist people holistically,
treatment can be a wonderful and powerful
ground to stand on. Anyone can succeed when
you work hard for it.
www.aadapinc.org
5/30/14 10:47 AM
Special Deliveries Day Treatment
Graduation; Building A Brighter Future
By Eunise Asis-Poblete, Day Treatment Coordinator
Credit: Thi Mach
O
On April 4, 2014, Special Deliveries Day Treatment
Program celebrated its 34th Completion Ceremony. It
was a joyous occasion for nine women who shared their
remarkable accomplishment and success with their families,
friends, peers, social workers and staff. Words of encouragement
came from an alumnus, Ali Karriem and R.Leverette, Counselor of
the Homeless Outreach Program and Integrated System
(HOPICS). Individual graduates shared their obstacles and
challenges they have gone through to make it to their graduation
and expressed their thanks and gratitude for the support,
guidance, and encouragement. The theme “Building A Brighter
Future” reflects of their goals and vision of continuing their
journey in recovery, and making a significant change in their lives.
The Special Deliveries Day Treatment Perinatal Program is a
10-12 month Outpatient Program and provides extensive
treatment services through substance abuse intervention, health
care and ancillary services to pregnant and parenting women. All
of these women who graduated from the program have spent over
12 months in treatment. While achieving their recovery goals,
they were also given tools to take on greater challenges in life as
they start to transition back to the
community. Out of the nine graduates, 5 are currently employed,
2 are continuing school to earn their GED or AA Degree, 3 have
regained custody of their children, while 2 are still in the process
of family reunification. The graduates expressed desire to continue
maintaining their support system while fulfilling other goals.
AADAP staff wishes you and your families the very best, thriving and sober future.
Your strength will drive your children to reach for the highest of heights just like you have!
Even though the graduates proudly received their Funny Awards, Parenting, Anger
Management and Program Completion Certificates, the challenge of building a
brighter future lies ahead of them. May you always have the courage and faith to
look forward and continue to make a big difference in your life.
AADAP CELEBRATES 38th
DRUG COURT GRADUATION
By Louis L. Lewis – AADAP Drug Court Coordinator
A
Credit: Michael Hernandez
ADAP in collaboration with the Inglewood Superior Court held its 38th graduation ceremony Friday March 21, 2014 for 20
participants. The event was held at the Los Angeles Superior Court – Inglewood Department 6, where the Honorable
Patricia J. Titus presides.
The Inglewood Drug Court was founded in 1997 by a cooperative collaboration between Inglewood Superior Court, and AADAP.
The program sentences addicts to treatment programs instead of time behind bars. The program is an intensive twelve-month
program in which nonviolent drug users undergo routine drug testing, group therapy, daily 12-step meetings and job training.
The program opened with a welcome by The Honorable Patricia J. Titus, who supervises the Inglewood Drug Court Program. Mike
Watanabe, President/CEO of AADAP, several special guests, including families of the graduates were inspired to see the Drug
Court participants complete the program.
www.aadapinc.org
AADAP booklet 052714.indd 3
“Sweet” Lou Johnson, a sports legend
and humanitarian, began his speech by
congratulating the grads and telling them
that they had an opportunity to start their
lives over and have their records wiped
clean. Mr. Johnson shared the struggles,
failures and the many opportunities he had
lost due to addiction. He stated that even
after winning a World Series with the Los
Angeles Dodgers, he never felt as good as
he does now being clean and sober.
A special treat at this graduation was a
performance by the legendary Pointer
Sisters of the song, “Yes You Can Can”
that rocked the house. They also stayed
after the graduation to take photos with
attendees.
Judge Titus gave her closing remarks and
welcomed the graduates to a new
beginning in their lives. As a final benefit
of their completion of the program, all
drug related cases for graduates were
dismissed.
Congratulations Drug Court 2014
Graduates! AADAP will always be an active
part of your recovery support system!
Congratulations to the 38th Drug
Court graduates! Remember what
you’ve learned and apply it daily to
your new and sober life. Believe in
yourself!
June / July 2014
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Photo credit: Community Prevention
Prevention on Underage Drinking Summit engages South Bay community and leaders. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health SAPC’s newly appointed Director, Wesley
Ford, was the Keynote Speaker at Summit, seated front row center.
Summit Stirs Advocacy and Action
P
By Jeanne Shimatsu, Community Prevention Coordinator
Photo credit: Community Prevention
revention on Underage Drinking is Everyone’s Responsibility and it
begins with Me’ was the compelling message that brought together
nearly a dozen South Bay communities at the Carson Community
Center on the balmy evening of April 24th. The SPA 8 Summit on Underage
Drinking Prevention was the first event in this region to provide a forum for
cross-age, cross-sector and cross-community exchange to share and discuss
concerns, ideas and recommendations about underage drinking in their
home, school, neighborhood and community at large.
The Summit was honored to have as the keynote speaker, the newly appointed
DPH Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, Wesley Ford who
highlighted local data compelling to the issue of underage drinking in the
South Bay and rounded his message with a personal story.
Youth, parents, law enforcement, city leaders and community members at
Long Beach Cambodian constituents in active discussion.
large representing the cities of Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach,
Inglewood, Lomita, Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance broke into small discussion clusters of mixed sectors. Participants
engaged in active discussion and shared insightful recommendations on how attitudes and behaviors influenced by environment and social norms can
reduce underage drinking. There was consensus by all tables that ‘open and consistent communication’ spoke to the heart of prevention. Environmental
prevention strategies on policy advocacy bubbled up in many of the discussion groups. Recent policy
adoption of Social Host Ordinance (SHO) in Carson and Long Beach along with the movement to pass
People
Need
Responsible Beverage Service
People
(RBS) in Inglewood, provided
The Rice Paper is a bimonthly publication of the
examples of how policy can
Asian American Drug Abuse, Program, Inc.
address youth access through
Kenneth Kasamatsu, Chairman
Jean Shigematsu, Vice Chairman
the home/residential setting
Danny Torii, Treasurer
Steven Arellano, Sr., Secretary
and through liquor stores
Saundra Bryant, Member
and other off sale and on sale
Mike Yoshiba, Member
Victor Harewood, Member
outlets.
Mike Watanabe, MSW President & CEO
Sponsored by the SPA 8 CoaliManagement Team
Daisy Asis-Nakanishi, Employment Access Director
tion on AOD Prevention, and
Dean Nakanishi, Administrative Director
funded through Los Angeles
Frank Nguyen, Fiscal Director
Glenn Andres, Outpatient Director
County Department of Public
Hiroko Makiyama, Prevention Director
Health, SAPC, next steps will
James Stinson, Therapeutic Community Director
Jose Esqueda, Youth & Family Program Director
be the working with commuPatty Abrantes, Olympia Academy Director
Paulina Hong, Development Director
nity participants in a collective
ReyAris Tubadeza, Information Technology Director
Gardena Police Department discusses impact of underage drinking as it relates to law
movement forward.
Rahimah Shah, Editor-In-Chief
enforcement.
4
Rice Paper June / July 2014
AADAP booklet 052714.indd 4
Josh Ruiz, Graphic Designer
Adcraft Business Mail, Printer
www.aadapinc.org
5/30/14 10:47 AM
Beloved Benson Pheng (1941-2014)
By Cassy Samel, Dena Thong, Marin Yann,
Outpatient Counselors
Photo Credit: The Pheng family
B
enson Pheng was a man who
helped pave the way to provide
social services to the Cambodian
community. Perhaps, his generosity derived
from his personal experiences during the
“Killing Fields” period of Cambodia, where
massive genocide took place. Benson Pheng
was born on 12/2/41 in Cambodia, where
he was schooled in the capitol and later
served in the Cambodian Navy. During the
Communist Khmer Rouge takeover in 1975,
he was suspected to be an educated man, thus
was subjected to one year of imprisonment
and interrogation. During this time, he was
separated from his wife and children.
Through his imprisonment, Benson
never revealed his identity, and was eventually
released back into the labor camps. After four
years under the Khmer Rouge regime, Benson
and his family escaped through the jungles
and arrived at a refugee camp on the ThaiCambodian border, where they later faced
abuse from Thai soldiers. Finally in 1980,
Benson and his family were sponsored into the
U.S. where they settled in Stockton, CA.
AADAP sends the most sincere condolences to the
entire Pheng family. He will be sorely missed and was
an amazing man. We were most fortunate to have
worked with him and enjoyed his presence
In 1991, Benson and his wife
relocated to Long Beach, CA to support their
son, who had enrolled into CSU Long Beach.
From there, Benson became integrated into
the vast local Cambodian community, and
started his heavy community involvement by
working with various agencies, organizations,
and Cambodian Buddhist temples. He realized
that his community was still suffering from
issues that include assimilation, PTSD, alcohol
& drug abuse, gang violence, and poverty.
He later joined AADAP in 2002, and
pushed for an increase in services towards the
Cambodian community by leading the way for
the agency to establish the Long Beach office.
After the Long Beach office was established,
Benson continued to contribute to AADAP
and the Cambodian community in a number
of ways. Benson was very passionate in helping
Cambodians progress into the professional
field, and did so by networking, outreaching,
and educating community members, as well
as referred three staff members to the agency;
Dena Thong, Richard Bis and Cassy Samel.
Benson retired from AADAP in 2010, but
still maintained a close relationship with the
agency and staff members.
YFP Welcomes Spring with an Annual Picnic
By Reggie Quinn, GRYD Coordinator
www.aadapinc.org
AADAP booklet 052714.indd 5
“Theatre of Hearts
Youth First”
provided two artists
to facilitate separate
fine arts activities
throughout the day.
Picnic
participants
consisted of
clients and family
members of the
AADAP GRYD
program, as well as
Project Step Up. We
were honored to
have as our special
guest, Mr. Miguel
Leon, Program
Director of Mayor
Artist Eric from All People’s Community Center was busy face painting youth and adults at 2014
Garcetti’s GRYD
YFP Family Picnic.
Program. YFP staff
members including
very hard working women clients.
We were very fortunate to
Dora Chin, Denise Benitez, Terry
Without the help of the TC clients
have this event take place on such
Hernandez, Ana Gomez, Vanessa
this event would have been an
a beautiful spring day and family
Moreno, Nadia Caro, Connie Grey,
extremely difficult task.
participants certainly appreciated
Ana Arias, and Frederika Keating,
We were honored to have as
the opportunity. It is my hope that
all worked very hard to make this
our special guest Mr. Miguel Leon,
our picnic participants took away
event a pleasurable and enjoyable
Program Director of
much more than prizes, snacks, and
experience for their participants.
Mayor Garcetti’s Gang Reduction
a lunch, but also were encouraged
Special Thanks to the TC for
and Youth Development Program,
to maintain important family
providing support through two
was also in attendance.
interaction.
Photo Credit: Frederika Keating
E
very year AADAP’s Youth and
Family Program (YFP) holds
its Family Picnic at Kenneth
Hahn Park. On Saturday April 5th,
2014, clients, parents, and family
members participated in the annual
picnic. The weather that day could
not have been more perfect and
fitting. The nearly 200 picnic
participants enjoyed a full day of
activities which included, carnival...
tug-of-war contest, face painting,
fine art table activities, dancing, and
jumpers for the youngest picnickers.
Participants received raffle
tickets and YFP T-shirts, as they
entered the picnic grounds. Raffle
winners received Walmart and Food
4 Less gift cards. Everyone enjoyed a
continental breakfast and a yummy
warm picnic lunch.
YFP Director, Jose Esqueda,
was the honored emcee for the day,
providing announcements of all
activities as they were scheduled to
begin.
AADAP GRYD Subcontractors
Theatre of Hearts and All Peoples
Community Center, provided
support staff that facilitated face
painting & arts and crafts activities.
June / July 2014
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FAMILY MATTERS
My Life as a New Mother on Mother’s Day
By Jackie B., Satellite House Client
My name is Jackie and I began my treatment at Therapeutic Community, AADAP’s
adult in-patient residential treatment facility. Over time, I had to make the choice to
move to AADAP’s Satellite House so that
I could work on regaining custody of my
children. I’m a mother of five beautiful
children, who came like angels to my life to
help me change the path I was headed on.
My childhood, unfortunately, was very
be a mother I would love my children and
be there for them. However, the reality was
that addiction took control of my life and I
didn’t know how to get out of the hole that
I was in. I was so blinded by holding onto
resentments and blaming others for my
past, low self esteem as a woman. I needed
help to change my way of thinking and way
of life. My attitude was so bad that I thought
Photo credit: Rahimah Shah
hurtful and I told myself that when I would
Jackie is working hard to reunite with all of her children and we applaud her for her
perseverance, dedication and faith.
I could never change. I realized that if wanted a different life, I needed to change my lifestyle and direction. So I did.
The Asian American Drug Abuse Program encouraged me to learn so much about myself and it has helped me to be a better
AADAP honors Cesar Chavez
mother to my children. I can now have joy loving
them showing them with action that I will be
there for them and they don’t have to wonder if
I’ll be back because I am here. I am able to show
them the rewards for doing well in school, which
was once taken from me. With the hard work, I
have them back today and am even more proud of
myself for giving myself a second chance. I know
Photo credit: Paulina Hong
that I am NOT alone. I can reach out to people
who care about me. I feel satisfied with myself as
a mother just to hear my children call me “Mom.”
It’s a big change for me and it makes me so proud.
OA residents celebrate Cesar Chavez Day in honor of the labor leader and farm worker advocate on March 28, 2014.
6
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AADAP booklet 052714.indd 6
www.aadapinc.org
5/30/14 10:47 AM
Residents’ Corner
The resident’s corner is a regular feature in the Rice Paper. It is written to give the
reader a bird’s eye view of recovery and treatment in the T.C. and O.A.
TC Manzanar Camping Trip
O
n April 25th, 2014 the residents of the
TC were allowed to participate in
this major annual event held at Diaz
Lake in Lone Pine, CA. We had a somewhat
of a rough ride there because the wind was
blowing hard and it was sprinkling, but,
nevertheless, we all made it to the camping
site safely.
This was my first camping trip to
Manzanar and it took me by surprise because
I actually had a good time with my peers and
staff. We went to the Manzanar Historical
Site and took part in the 45th Annual
Manzanar Pilgrimage Ceremony hosted by
Darrell Kunitomi. We were happy to hear
that AADAP was recognized and even glad
to see some familiar faces.
During free time, some of us went
fishing at the lake while the others relaxed.
That night, we had a group activity called,
“Animal Calling” where we were all
blindfolded and instructed to make animal
noises then instructed to walk around and
find our herd. This was a fun activity in
which we learned more about ourselves
as individuals, and bonded as a group. We
realized the importance of accepting people
for who they are and that communication is
something we need to work on. Later on that
night, Eddie, one of our TC residents caught
what turned out to be the largest fish caught
during the whole trip and with only a net.
The following day, we left the
campsite and arrived at the actual Manzanar
Relocation Center site. Some of the family
watched a documentary on the site and some
of the family looked around the museum
and had the opportunity to learn about the
Japanese people to get a better understanding
of their struggles during that period. After,
we observed the ceremony outside where we
set our cranes on the monument.
Going to Keough’s Hot Springs in
Bishop, CA, which is about 1 hour away from
the camping site was an exciting experience
where we got to soak in hot mineral water,
exfoliate our skin and look at the beautiful
stars in the sky. Once we got back to the
campsite, we all sat in a circle and read out
our “forgiveness letters” that were to be
burned right after.
On Sunday, we woke up, had brunch,
packed up all our camping gears, took some
last group pictures and departed. Overall,
this was a wonderful experience because
we got to bond together as a family, learned
Photo Credit: Maggie Fong
By Victoria L., Therapeutic Community Client
Therapeudic Community staff and residents gather together at the respected Manzanar National Historical Site.
historical facts about the relocation of the Japanese
Americans during World War II, ate great BBQ food
and I learned to appreciate the little things in life.
Secretly, I wanted to stay longer but staff reminded me
that this trip is mainly to expose us to activities like
this so that we would appreciate experiences of our
own in the future.
Olympia Academy’s Autism Speaks Walk
By Madaline D., Olympia Academy Client
www.aadapinc.org
AADAP booklet 052714.indd 7
Photo Credit: Nick Maestas
O
lympia Academy (OA)
loaded up the van with
the OA house to head to
Pasadena’s Rose Bowl for an
experience we’ll never forget.
We were very enthusiastic to
be supporting such a meaningful cause: Autism Speaks.
Many of us never actually
realized what autism was
until not too long ago.
Since many of us
learned about Autism, we’ve
learned more about knowing
that we’ve helped a cause
that is much bigger than
ourselves. On our way to the
Rose Bowl that morning, we
stopped to pick up Patty, who
Olympia Academy staff and residents participated in the 2014 Walk Now for
Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest grassroots autism walk program, held at the
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
greeted us with a box full of donuts. Our
day was just getting better and better.
When we arrived to the Rose Bowl, we
turned in $250 that we raised for Autism
Speaks by having a car wash and a bake
sale. Once we stood at the starting line,
then we joined thousands of people
supporting this amazing cause at the
starting line. We walked a two-mile
course around the Rose Bowl that took
us about an hour. We all really enjoyed
being outside in the fresh air.
Something that I learned that day is
that even though we are addicts, we are
at Olympia Academy wanting to change
our life. Realizing this changed the way
I look at a lot of things and made that
day memorable knowing that my peers
and I supported such an amazing cause.
Thank you AADAP for exposing us and
allowing us to be part of an important
issue that impacts many families.
June / July 2014
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5/30/14 10:47 AM
AADAP is a substance
abuse rehabilitation center.
If you or anyone you know
is struggling for help,
please contact us at
(323) 293-6284
AADAP, Inc.
2900 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016
Telephone:323-293-6284
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION US
POSTAGE PAID
LOS ANGELES, CA
PERMIT NO. 33789
If you would like to make
a tax-deductable contribution to AADAP, please
send contributions to the
address above or visit us at
www.aadapinc.org.
Please contact Dean Nakanishi at
the number above if you would
like to donate your vehicle or
make an In-Kind donation.
STAFF VOICES
Editor’s note: Staff Voice is a section that sheds light on AADAP’s diverse staff population
I
consider myself a survivalist and I
give back and to encourage and inspire
say this in the most positive of
others to find their strength. I know
ways. My Dad whose name was
that through perseverance, anything
Reuben was paralyzed from the waist
is possible. I have set my goal on
down from an industrial accident on
becoming a certified Drug and Alcohol
the job in 1968 when I was just a young
Counselor and have just completed
girl of 11 years. I guess this is when my
my necessary intern hours to take
sense of survival and strength formustate test for certification. Presently,
lated. In the eyes of an 11 year old,
I am a Special Deliveries Child Care
my dad stood tall as an evergreen tree
Worker. My continuing goal is to work
and to see him sitting for over 37 years
in the capacity of a Counselor here at
was devastating, but it also inspired
AADAP’s Day Treatment site.
me to stay strong and always persevere
Remembering my Dad and all his
through life’s ups and downs.
teachings he left me with before his
I have survived through my
passing instilled another kind of
mother’s passing, my two older
strength within me. I have come full
Reubenee’ Pryor
sisters, an older and younger brother
circle and I love him for that. It is his
and, finally, my twin brother, Reuben. After many years of
undying presence, which has survived in my thoughts and my
darkness and hopelessness, I have finally found my way to
life.
8
Rice Paper
AADAP booklet 052714.indd 8
June / July 2014
www.aadapinc.org
5/30/14 10:47 AM