The doors to recovery for women who abuse substances opened at the Fair Havens Christian Care Centre on Victoria Street in Hamilton in June of 1993. An agency of The Council Partners, Fair Havens was established in response to drug consultant Dr. David Archibald's report outlining the need for an in-house treatment programme for drug and alcohol dependent women. With the capacity to house 11 women, the facility, which is monitored by a Board of Directors under the auspices of the Fair Havens Christian Care Association, is designed to rehabilitate women within a structured yet supportive Christian atmosphere. Staffed by trained personnel, Fair Havens offers treatment to females aged 16 to 40. However, anyone outside this age bracket can be individually assessed and considered, said the new executive director Mrs.

Rosemary McNaughton, who has had 30 years of experience with substance abusers. At present, six women are living at Fair Havens. But the number of residents can change quite frequently. Said Mrs. McNaughton: "Therapy is based on the 12-step programme which takes about ten months. But the length of stay depends on the individual. Some people will stay here for up to a year.

Others will leave after a few months.'' The programme seeks to promote a long term commitment that is flexible and responds to a changing environment.

Residents attend one hour open-ended group sessions daily and they also benefit from individual counselling. Fair Havens liaises with various agencies including Focus, the Montrose Substance Abuse Centre and Addiction Services, said Mrs. McNaughton, noting that the Centre also uses the philosophies of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. "Using other agencies provides Fair Havens employs total health approach three times a week as well as recreation twice a week. "We just started incorporating a morning walk into our day,'' said Mrs. McNaughton, adding that other recreational activities may include aerobics and visits to sports centres. "Exercise is a very important part of recovery, particularly with cocaine addicts,'' she said. Residents also participate in bible study three times a week and have devotions every morning. "We have a total health approach to recovery at Fair Havens. It embodies the body, mind and spirit,'' said Mrs. McNaughton. It is not, however, the intent of the Centre to insist that residents subscribe to any denominational doctrine or creed, or that one has to be, or become, a Christian to receive resident treatment. Rather, residents can expect to be shown professional care and treatment against the backdrop of a Christian approach. Mrs. McNaughton noted that once Fair Haven clients have completed their educational component of the programme, they are encouraged to attend upgrading classes and/or seek employment. In fact, some women work or go to school while they are living at the facility, she said.

When residents are discharged from the Centre, individuals and family members receive ongoing after-care for two years. Sessions include groups and individual counselling together with written follow-up reports to employee assistance programmes, the Judicial system and to employers when necessary.

FAIR HAVENS CHRISTIAN CARE CENTRE -- Located on Victoria Street in Hamilton, Fair Havens is one of the five agencies that have joined in partnership under the banner of The Council Partners.