FP Arlene Glanville '00

During my internship I participated in the daily meditation and the ensuing discussions at the home. Even though I was a stranger, clients were open to my questions and were eager to share their contributions. They did not always agree with one another, but willingly respected and accepted one another's opinions. It became apparent to me early on that although most women are motivated to recover, others are "not ready" and leave the program. These women might require another approach; for some, sadly, recovery may never happen. In one particularly memorable discussion, a young woman declared herself "not ready" and said she intended to leave. To hear the other women, on that day, try to persuade her to stay, was touching. They set aside all of their own concerns to concentrate on her. Later, I learned that they had previously watched another woman leave, who had succumbed to drugs on the street.

The most important service at Safety Net is the individual therapy the women receive. They learn to rebuild their self-esteem and to deal with all forms of abuse, including domestic violence. Hazel Robinson also believes that education is the key to establishing independence and breaking the cycle of addiction. She encourages residents to prepare for a GED. For those who have already earned a high school diploma, doors are opened to either higher education at local community colleges or courses designed to develop work skills. It was my privilege to accompany two young women to Holyoke Community College to enroll in programs there. I could sense their excitement as they talked about their future plans.

Community service is a large part of the recovery program. Early each morning, the women volunteer their time in city projects. They also prepare meals for the elderly, and, during the holiday season, they help to feed the homeless.

I asked several of the women how they felt about the program, and their responses reflected a range of emotions: "Safety Net is teaching me more. I can go to school, take courses, carry a job," said one enthusiastic participant. Another said, "This is a safe place to be clean and sober. I've learned how to take control of my life. Here, we can share and struggle together--and there's safety in numbers." But another expressed fear: "I'm scared of a relapse! Can I make it on my own?" Her response was echoed by another: "This disease is very strong! It gets hold of you and doesn't let you go. Some of us don't surrender until we hit bottom and admit it's a disease."

The women constantly dream about what life will be once they have control of their disease. They dream of being reunited with children and returning successfully to work they had before the addiction. I learned that victims of substance abuse experience a daily battle to survive. All of the residents "fight a war" to regain life. Every day, as I drove to Northampton, I had misgivings that some people might have left the program. I resisted the temptation to become emotionally involved, but I could not help but share in everyone's sorrow for the "absent members."

When I asked Hazel Robinson, the driving force behind the program, how she manages to keep personal emotions separate, she responded: "Divine intervention-- there is no way to do this job by myself. I depend a great deal on the spiritual side of my life. I try to begin each day on a positive note and bring only the positive with me to Safety Net."

It was a revelation, an education, and a distinct privilege to be allowed within the walls that so few of us can imagine and observe and to meet the beautiful woman behind the label "addict." What I found most rewarding in this job was the warmth, humor, and appreciation of each and every person with whom I dealt. My deep gratitude goes to Hazel Robinson and the women of Safety Net for providing such a powerful experience.