The Annex, the addictions resource centre and outreach program of the Grace Café, is dedicated to helping individuals access addiction services, programs and supports.
The goal of The Annex is to positively impact the lives of individuals facing the many challenges of substance dependency.
It does this through addiction support groups, substance abuse resources and addiction counselling.
In a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment.
myFM caught up with Executive Director Mike Toth last Wednesday, on the third anniversary of The Annex, located at 321 Talbot Street.
Toth has generous praise for the efforts of city staff in dealing with homelessness and housing efforts in partnership with organizations like Indwell.
Equally important is the provision of housing with social supports.
Toth continues, “So we have to realize that we can treat folks, but we’re not going to fix everybody. And so we need to be committed to treating those members of our society who are not able to fix themselves.”
So what has the acceptance been over the three years since opening its door?
So what is Toth’s wish list moving forward?
Toth concludes, “You know, the folks who I see that are most successful or have the greatest chance for success are those for whom the pain of using becomes greater than the pain of quitting.
“When you get to the point knowing that we’re more pain-driven than we are pleasure-driven, when the pain of quitting is lower than the pain of continuing to use, that’s when people are ready for success.
“And that’s why we want to be able to have that period where we could support them to help make sure that they can actually get that success.”
In other words, it’s a path of least resistance.
“Absolutely. Yeah. You want to try to remove as many rocks in the road for people as possible. And that’s what we do here.”
You can access the addiction resource centre at 519-896-0080 or drop in at 321 Talbot Street.
Written by Ian McCallum
