Grateful to the Phoenix Recovery Project

Dear Editor,

Kindly permit us space to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Phoenix Recovery Project (PRP), for in the first instance, embarking on the noble mission of saving the lives of us men and women who suffer from substance abuse disorders (SUDS), inclusive of those of us with double and triple diagnoses. August 13 was an auspicious occasion, because it was the second anniversary of the establishment of the Female Recovery Programme, Guyana’s only female-oriented programme.

We are truly amazed that with so few resources so much is being done at this rehabilitation centre.

Foremost we wish to thank the God of our understanding for giving us the courage to give ourselves a ‘break.’ We would also like to thank the Coordinator of the Project, Trinidadian Mr Clarence Young, whose work indeed knows no borders; his able assistant, the selfless and committed Ms Lucinda Williams the spearhead of the Female Residential Pro-gramme; and all those who have touched our lives in their special way. At the risk of unintentionally omitting to mention someone’s name, these include:-

Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy; Members of the Board of the PRP; Pastor Patrick Findlay and the congregation of the Full Life New Testament Church; Clinicians: Nurses Audrey Shultz and Percival, Sherry Boilers and Tina Witter; Counsellors Ralph Turpin, Leon Waithe, Esse Ram, Carolyn Bowry-Reid, Jeffrey Roberts, Robert Adams, Sabrina Samaroo, Odessa Fraser and Joan Alleyne; Security: Derrick Charles, Wayne Frank, Indar Singh, Escar Adams; Extension Services Providers – Volunteers: Nurse Judy Davson, collaborators of the Ministry of Health and the wonderful people at Merundoi; Nutritionists Doris Wilson, Shelly Bentt, Paulette Subrattie-Gilgeous and Katrina Williams; and those exemplary corporate citizens Ansa McAl, Sterling Products Ltd, Bounty Farm and Globe Manufacturing Drug Company, who in more ways than one positively impact the lives of recovering addicts. Certainly no one knows that better than we who feel that impact most.

We seize this opportunity amidst the escalating use of alcohol and other drugs and the associated loss of limb and life as manifested in instances of child abuse, domestic violence, driving under the influence and other such abhorrent acts, to applaud these valorous care-givers.

Yours faithfully,
Sandra Brathwaithe
and other in-patients of the PRP