Pubdate: Tue, 01 May 2012
Source: Canadian Jewish News, The (Canada)
Copyright: 2012 The Canadian Jewish News
Contact:  http://www.cjnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2361
Author: Janice Arnold

CHABAD EXTENDS 'LIFELINE' TO ADDICTS AT NEW CENTRE

MONTREAL - A drug education and counselling program rooted in the 
Lubavitch community, which began years ago as a modest campus 
project, has entered an expanded and more professional phase.

Chabad Lifeline, formerly Project Pride, officially inaugurated its 
new premises April 19 at 4615 Cote Ste. Catherine Rd., a gracious 
two-storey home dating back to the 1920s that's owned by the nearby 
Jewish General Hospital (JGH).

The house, which was empty for years, was the residence of the JGH's 
first executive director Samuel Cohen from 1933 to 1968.

Now fully renovated and its ample grounds attractively landscaped, 
the premises is a major improvement over Lifeline's most recent 
previous location: office space on Queen Mary Road. It's a 
comfortable setting for those who attend the 12-step self-help groups 
to overcome drug, alcohol or other addictions, or for support while 
in recovery.

Lifeline has developed a professional staff, headed by executive 
director Rabbi Ronnie Fine and director Rabbi Benjamin Bresinger, and 
it has attracted some major supporters, which bodes well for its 
future. Lifeline receives no financial aid from either government or 
any local Jewish organization, and many of its services are free of charge.

The program's new co-chairs are Heleena and Eddie Wiltzer and Lillian 
Vineberg. Her late husband Stephen, a past president of the JGH who 
passed away in February, played a major part in getting Chabad 
Lifeline to the point it is today.

"To us, the two rabbis are heroes," Heleena Wiltzer said, "because 
they are saving so many people."

Rabbi Fine, who founded Project Pride in 1989 while he was a McGill 
University chaplain, said Lifeline is now receiving more than 14,000 
visits and holds 665 group sessions per year. You don't have to be 
Jewish to use its services, and the religious underpinnings are not overt.

Rabbi Bresinger said people are turning to Lifeline because of its 
open-door and non-judgmental approach.

It's successful in getting and keeping people off drugs and other 
harmful ways of life because Lifeline views addiction as "a disease 
for which there is a solution.

"Addiction is not a moral failing, but it still carries a stigma, 
which often prevents people from seeking help. Our message is that, 
once you contact us, you never have to be alone again."

The idea that addiction is a treatable disorder "like any other" was 
echoed by JGH executive director Dr. Hartley Stern, who spoke at the opening.

Lifeline's clinical director is the rabbi's wife, Karen Bresinger, 
who holds a master's degree in social work from Rutgers University.

It does not provide treatment as such, but crisis intervention and 
referral to centres that do. Its role is primarily support both for 
the substance abuser and their family - "the hidden victims." There 
are support groups for them, too, including Al-Anon and parenting meetings.

Interestingly, Lifeline has become something of a specialist in sex 
addiction. On its staff is Jennifer Kotry, introduced as one of only 
two certified sex addiction therapists in Quebec. Lifeline currently 
runs weekly group therapy for such addicts and a separate program for 
their partners.

Speaking at the opening were two former drug and alcohol abusers, who 
credit Lifeline with literally saving their lives.

"Cindy" began drinking at age 12 and soon was also doing drugs, 
including crack cocaine. After 25 years of abuse and "self-pity," she 
said, Lifeline got her into treatment and has provided her with 
support over the past six years. During that time, she has spoken to 
about 2,400 students in schools about her experience.

"Gianni" said he went to Lifeline three years ago when he had nowhere 
else to go, reluctantly because he thought it would be strange to 
turn to a place run by rabbis.

"Their arms were open from the minute I came in. It didn't matter to 
them who I was or what I had done." Four days later, counsellors had 
him on a bus for a 13-hour trip to a treatment centre in Ontario.

He's been clean since, and out of gratitude, he also volunteers at 
the centre. "I work long hours as a landscaper, but whatever they 
asked me to do, I do it," Gianni said.

For more information, call 514-738-7700, or visit www.chabadlifeline.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom