Hope is always on the horizon according to local drug warrior Arlene Joseph, who through her work is rehabilitating substance and alcohol abusers by encouraging acceptance and support for the recovering addicts. Chatsworth Tabloid recently got a chance to catch up with her to find out more about her work.
Chatsworth Tabloid (CT): Who is Arlene Joseph and what do you do?
Arlene Joseph (AJ): I am the CEO of AC Wellness, which is a treatment centre for drug and alcohol abuse. My passion is to help people that are suffering from substance abuse, by helping one person we are helping a family as this disease affects everyone close to them.
CT: How did you get into the sector?
AJ: Substance abuse has a huge social stigma attached to it and being personally affected by this, I certainly believed that people suffering from it needed the love and support. There is hope in recovery, so I made it my purpose to create an environment that is accepting, loving and supportive that allows the person affected to feel some sense of value again.
CT: Is there a specific case of rehabilitation that will stick with you forever?
AJ: I personally assisted a pregnant woman that used heroine (sugars) throughout her pregnancy she came to the centre on her ninth month, before giving birth. Her newborn suffered withdrawals, it was very challenging seeing a baby suffer, but I am glad to say the baby is doing well and mum is 12-years clean, so there is hope.
CT: Are there any prominent drug fighter figures that you have worked with?
AJ: The late Sam Pillay, he fought the good fight against substance abuse. It is not all lost as we are still here to assist in fighting this scourge that is destroying the youth, families and communities. Sam Pillay will always be remembered for the work he has done fighting against the battle of substance abuse.
CT: If you were not in this line of work, what would you have chosen as a career?
AJ: I would be assisting women and children that have been affected by gender-based violence as I see a large amount of it, especially when one family member is affected by substance abuse.
CT: What doe’s a day in your life look like?
AJ: Prayer is what I start my day off with because without God this work is impossible to carry out, thereafter its work comprising of counselling with families, managing my team at the centre to make sure our patients receive the best care in all areas together with their families.
CT: Tell us, what do you do in your leisure time
AJ: Gardening, that is my hobby along with arts and crafts.
CT: Do you have any pets?
AJ: Yes, I have a little stray feline that I have adopted, Cinnamon, who has a big attitude. I also have a beautiful compassionate canine, Bruno, who is a therapeutic part of the team at AC Wellness.
CT: Your favourite food?
AJ: I really do not have a favourite food, in fact I enjoy eating healthy.
CT: Your favourite holiday destination?
AJ: I would really like to visit Europe when the pandemic is over.
CT: Whats your guilty pleasure?
AJ: Chocolate definitely! Especially Dark Lindt!
CT: And your pet peeve?
AJ: Laziness and unteachable spirits.
CT: Popular drug addictions change with the trends, have you noticed any specific trends recently?
AJ: With the different strains of marijuana that have been legalised for personal consumption, we have experienced a large number of youth that experiment on this substance and have been experiencing numerous dangerous side effects such as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia and sleep deprivation.
Also, an increase with crystal meth users as well as a new form of rock (cocaine) with the street name ‘hallelujah’. As per many users, the use of this has brought in many cases with users being totally confused and delusional with no recollection of what happened the previous day.
CT: Lastly, has the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to the abuse of alcohol and drugs?
AJ: Yes, many people have used alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism in dealing with the effects of Covid-19 such as job-losses, losing loved ones, financial straits and just being isolated.
