Continuing our series on the agencies operating under the umbrella of The Council Partners Charitable Trust, this week Living visited FOCUS. The names of clients have been changed to protect their privacy.

Alarmed by the growing number of people -- most of them homeless and suffering from drug and/or alcohol abuse -- who had fallen through the cracks of Bermuda's social system, and tired of hearing "Why doesn't somebody do something?'', Sandy Butterfield and Jerry Griffiths decided to take action.

That was in 1993 and today, FOCUS Counselling Service, formed by them to provide a free support resource in the "back of town'' for addicts who have lost all hope, has become a shining example of just what can be done, in practical terms, to restore that hope -- and to help recovering addicts to take a meaningful place in the community.

Situated on Union Street, the `open door', three-room complex, cheerfully decorated and boasting a comfortable sitting room as well as computer/training and meeting rooms, has become both a sanctuary and a valuable educational resource.

Besides holding discussion meetings on recovery and lifestyle issues, clients are trained -- often in one-on-one tutorials -- in the use of computers, typing, English grammar, composing letters, and interview and telephone techniques. The ultimate aim is to encourage clients to acquire high school equivalency or trade school diplomas. There is a 24-hour hot line and courses of acupuncture available to help reduce cravings. An average of 17 people per day use the facility, with around 25 attending evening meetings.

"One of the reasons Jerry and I formed FOCUS was to give these people a sense of empowerment,'' explains Mrs. Butterfield. "Reading, writing and basic technological knowledge is vital if they are ever going to get a job. Another important aspect is that they feel very free here to verbalise their thoughts -- they can talk about anything they like, about race, religion, whatever -- but it gets them focussed on other things besides drugs. I've learnt a lot in our discussions since I've been here!'' she exclaims. "We do things like reading the daily paper, discussing the latest news and we have a big map where we look up the `hot spots' around the world. Some of our clients need help in reading fluently, or writing legibly but they are motivated to learn fast. Our biggest need,'' she adds, "is for people in the community to take a chance by employing these people -- if only in an `apprentice' capacity at first. We have noticed that many of our clients turn out to be very gifted in `caring' work and that's good because it is also therapeutic for them and helpful for their recovery to be thinking about others who need help.'' Mrs.

Butterfield, who spent 12 years at the Montrose Substance Abuse Centre before coming to FOCUS, is currently working without the help of Jerry Griffiths, who is in Johns Hopkins Hospital awaiting a heart transplant. "It was Vaughan Mosher who encouraged me to take courses and I became a counsellor-in-training. Then I did two years at the Bermuda College with Jerry -- and that's when we did the `brain-storming' that led to FOCUS,'' she explains.

With research suggesting that there may be around 300 homeless people in Bermuda, and many more living in sub-standard housing, it is estimated that at least 75 percent have problems associated with alcohol/drug abuse.

Acknowledging the enormous part played by the Salvation Army in providing meals and shelter, Mrs. Butterfield says that many clients are referred by them to FOCUS to help their re-entry into society. Indeed, the programme's educational efforts began at the Army Shelter on North Street until premises were found for FOCUS two years later. FOCUS also works closely with Fair Havens, the women's rehabilitation centre.

One of the main thrusts of FOCUS, says Mrs. Butterfield, is to help clients re-enter the mainstream of society. "So many of them feel they don't belong, have never belonged. We operate as a family, with evening and weekend activities. I remember going to see the show at the Princess and one young man telling me he didn't think he was `allowed' to go there!'' Paying tribute to Council Partners, Mrs. Butterfield says that without their support, FOCUS would never have been able to acquire the Union Street building. "They pay our rent for us. We have been fortunate that various organisations have donated furniture and computers, but we budget our running costs and Council Partners supplies the funding. They have supported us in all our endeavours.'' The first thing that strikes the visitor to the Union Street haven is the air of friendly openness and the clients' ability to articulate -- sometimes emotionally, often humorously -- their life stories and their hopes for the future.

"I feel safe here, I can come in here any time of the day. It's given me my life back,'' says Kurt, who is recovering from alcoholism. "Without FOCUS, there's a strong possibility I wouldn't be here doing this interview right now! For the last three months or so, I've been spending my days off here because it's safe. I can talk to people who all have the same illness as me -- addiction. I work in a very busy environment but people don't know the burdens I carry. Recovery is much harder than my job but FOCUS has become my home base. I love all the people here -- we're like a family.'' Joss, who calmly describes himself as having been "one of those `no fixed abode' people'', recently returned from two months' drugs relapse therapy in Canada, "thanks to Sandy who made sure I got the tickets and so on. She was very instrumental. At first, when they asked me if I would like to go, I was very fearful but it worked out well. Everybody here got together and gave me money so that I could go and I got very emotionally distraught over that because I didn't know that people cared about me. But everyone seems to like me,'' he adds with an air of genuine surprise. "I do part-time work now, helping out at the shelter, filling in for someone else. As first, I was fearful about that as well, but FOCUS helped me overcome my fears. I come here every day but, to be honest, I wouldn't say I have everything under control yet. I don't think I could cope by myself yet, but I'm getting there. FOCUS helped me by showing instant acceptance, which I really needed at the time. If I hadn't had that, I'd have been straight out the door again, I can tell you! Rehab centre an oasis for addicts From Page 25 "That was important because I needed somebody to accept me. Then they helped me find a place to live. We have all these meetings, so I was able to get involved right away, around people who were just like me.'' Also well on his way to recovery is John, who reflects that at the age of 45, it was FOCUS that finally taught him the kind of life skills "that most kids acquire as kids or in their teens. But I had to hit `bottom' which for me, meant I was unemployable. This is a new hang-out for me, because I still go to my 12-step programmes which take care of the alcohol and the drugs -- but I like the idea of being around recovering people. FOCUS has given me a lot of help in teaching me how to get along with my family and friends, and to improve my skills for getting a job. Eventually, I want to get more education so that I can help others who are still suffering out there.'' Suddenly the laid-back, quiet serenity is shattered when Doreen, mother of three and `clean' now for 17 months, sweeps into the room, weeping tears of frustration and anger. Apologising for her interruption ("I have to talk about this because I'm really pissed off''), her story emerges. After spending 16 months in rehab, she has spent the past five months in a steady job. Noting that she had put her children in foster care because she knew she needed help to recover, she is now desperate to find a home so that she can be re-united with her family.

"I'm living at the Shelter. I work, I have money, but it's hopeless, trying to find a place to live. Everywhere I go, day in and day out, I get the same damn story -- there's nowhere for me to live. We need some low-cost housing. I swear that my name is with every agency. I'm tired of being rejected. Now,'' she adds with mounting fury, "the social services people are telling me I have to prove myself. Prove myself? How the hell can I prove myself, or `get my life together' as they keep telling me, if I can't find a place to live? I'm so upset, I feel I'm in relapse mode -- and that's why I knew I had to get round here -- to talk, so that I can recover from life. I'm sorry, but this is overpowering my sense of recovery and I feel I can't go on.'' Kleenex is handed out, arms go round the sobbing woman, words of comfort are murmured. Ironically, Doreen is yet another recovering addict who seems to have suffered for telling the truth about her situation: "They tell us to be honest about what's happened, but it seems to close doors in your face.'' Someone else voices this thought, asking why houses on the base lands are sitting empty when there is such an urgent need: "We have people like Doreen who hangs in there -- and the next person will sell drugs to get a place! What sort of encouragement is that?'' Celia speaks in a low, eloquent voice from the sofa where she is resting an injured leg. "My sisters and I were taken from my mom. She was an alcoholic and I went straight from hospital to a home. I was almost 11 years old when I was suddenly told I had to go back and live with her. She hadn't changed! That's when my life fell apart -- having to leave that home, and having to live with her instead. I know it's hard for you, but ...'' and here, she shrugs. Sadly, Celia "gave away'' seven years of sobriety because, she says, "I stopped working the programme. I thought I had it licked -- I still find it hard to believe I relapsed, I think I'm still in denial about that. I felt so ashamed and so angry at myself. I've been coming here since last October.

FOCUS is different because it allows for `mess-ups' -- nobody chucks you out.

There is 100 percent acceptance here. If I don't come here for a few days, someone will call my house and bring me back, telling me they care what happens to me, that they love me, no matter what I do. I'm five weeks `clean' right now. These people have saved me. I'm determined,'' she says, "to get well so that I can eventually become a counsellor. We need people who've been through hell to help those who are still out there. That's my aim and with FOCUS behind me, I can do it.'' "Yes,'' agrees another client. "If you want to know what it feels like to be hit with a hammer you have to ask another nail. In order to effect recovery, we need to be able to walk in another person's shoes.'' "What makes me mad, '' adds Celia, "is the hypocrisy of some business people. These shop people who jump up and down, complaining about crack cocainers, know exactly what they're doing when they sell matches and candles late at night!'' Pausing for a moment, she continues, "Do you remember when hurricane Emily hit? That was a great equaliser! The rich man and the poor man were both suddenly without water, without electricity, having to make the best of things -- and doing it together. The drug epidemic has to be so devastating to Bermuda that everyone pulls together to snatch their child, or their grandchild from the jaws of disaster. That's the only way Bermuda is ever going to lick this thing.'' FOCUS, which counted a total of 587 day visitors for the first six months of the year, says there is still an urgent need for office equipment, especially newer computers. For further information, or for help, telephone 296-2196.