A recovering drug addict says it is entirely up to those hooked to change their troubled lifestyle.
Darlene Manning lives in Thunder Bay, and tells us she knows, having started after being a victim of human trafficking when she was only eight years old, “It’s been very, very hard for me to change, but I’m doing it. I know if I keep working at it, I will overcome.”
She adds she had huge motivation for cleaning up, after abusing for 20 years.
“The most powerful reason why is in November, I lost my mother. We were very, very close,” says the Thunder Bay resident.
Manning adds for those still struggling, there is nothing anyone can say that can make much difference to help. She says after years of experience, she knows it is pointless in trying to stop someone from shooting up in an alley.
“Because once it’s in their mind, it’s very hard to help them,” adds Manning.
She says she has a passion for helping others to escape the grip of drugs and helps at the safe injection site on Simpson Street. The city is looking at legislation dealing with loitering, but also how to handle drug houses.
