Editor: We would like to add to your story (the Times, June 23) regarding clients of ours who fled from one of our vehicles.
The three individuals who . . . as your article stated 鈥渨on鈥檛 go鈥� to rehab, were in transit to one of our treatment facilities.
The individuals did not have serious offences and were not dangerous offenders.
It is within our policies and procedures to work with law enforcement and, in this circumstance, the 91原创 RCMP.
Police were notified by us immediately upon the clients leaving the vehicle. It was our hope and that of all involved in the legal process, that these individuals, through entering our program, would start the process of healing from addictions and eventually become productive members of society.
As a society and a charitable organization we choose to work with some of society鈥檚 most marginalized individuals with addiction issues; often those who other organizations are unable or unwilling to work with.
To this end we have been highly successful with hundreds of clients. Unfortunately, we like all others in this field, are not successful with all clients. Addictions are a community health issue and the statistics are sad and significantly low in success.
We hope that your article and our response to it will create more awareness and discussion on the issue of addictions and how they affect all aspects of society.
David DeGirolamo
VisionQuest Recovery Society
Editor鈥檚 note: The incident in question led to a brief Code Yellow lockdown at nearby 91原创 Secondary School, meaning all students were kept inside the building while the situation was resolved.
