All he could do was think about his next fix. Then, when Ricky’s family was about to disown him due to his drug addiction, he turned to The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light in Vancouver for help. “My family was all I had,” says Ricky. “That struck me so hard.”

“I battled drugs for eight years,” says Ricky. “I had a job and paid my bills. That allowed me to think I had my life together. I was in denial.

“I hid in hotels and used. I did regretful things to family and friends. I couldn’t look at people due to shame. My life revolved around drugs.”

At Harbour Light, one-on-one counselling taught Ricky how to cope with life’s challenges without using drugs, group sessions gave him a place to express his feelings and the learning centre helped him with resumé writing.

“The Salvation Army helped me get back on my feet,” continues Ricky. “I’m working now and have gained the trust of my family back. That means the world to me.”