Former addict wants to import programme that saved her life
A reformed drug addict who went overseas for treatment is hoping to bring a recovery centre that saved her life to Bermuda.
Rickeesha Binns, 31, who left the Island in 2004 to seek treatment at the Fellowship Deliverance Ministries, in LeGrange, Georgia, returned this summer clean and with a blueprint for her future.
Ms. Binns had spent many of the previous years hooked on crack, drinking and smoking pot, but when she hit rock bottom and saw her emaciated face in a mirror one day, she decided to clean-up. (see Monday Interview for full story)
The former Berkeley student credits finding religion with her success and admits she was lucky she was able to get off the Island to get clean.
"I have a vision. My vision is that one day there will be a recovery institute, Christ Centred Institute (CCI), in Bermuda.
"The whole spin off is to have a Christ Centered Institute Community Support Services (CCICSS) Prevention Resource Centre in each parish," she said.
"Prevention resource, that's really where my heart is. We need more prevention resources on the Island which would offer a clinic.
"There would be a spiritual adviser, a library where people can sit down and listen to tapes of, for example, parenting skills. Or they can go on a computer and see how they can tell if their kids are on drugs.
"There would be accessible and cost effective methods of awareness, prevention and information services."
Ms. Binns said there are many demands being placed on drug treatment programmes which are constantly being urged to do more and do it better.
These demands include the spread of AIDS, the crack epidemic, the increase of homeless people, mentally ill chemical abusers and substance abusers who are parents.
She added: "I came back for the summer with my blueprint for my business. I want to work on the dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse.
"The Department of National Drug Control has a plan, but where's the Church?
"Government is doing what it's doing but what about the Church? The Church needs to get more involved, we need prayers."
