ho would have thought the Coronavirus could generate an unexpected second chance for homeless drug addicts in our Archdiocese?

But that’s exactly what has happened. And I’m hoping you will want to be part of it.

When our country went into lockdown at the end of March, our City’s homeless people were placed in emergency shelters to combat the spread of the disease. Apart from having a safe place to sleep and four meals a day, those addicted to heroin and whoonga (an extremely addictive, lowgrade heroin based drug, full of dangerous impurities) were able join a treatment programme aimed at weaning them off drugs.

But being drug free is only half the battle. They are still homeless. Still jobless. Still shunned by family members who’ve lived for years with the anger, fear and resignation of being unable to ‘save’ their loved one from addiction.

This is where the Napier Centre 4 Healing makes all the difference.

As you may remember, this Centre offers recovering addicts a safe place to live for up to 12 months while they reintegrate back into society. They receive skills training and start jobs during their time here. So when they’re ready to leave, they have money in the bank to cover rent, electricity and food.

While most businesses were closed or running on short time during lockdown, the Napier Centre 4 Healing was busy taking in many of those who successfully completed their rehab at the City shelter.

No fewer than 14 former addicts are now living at the Centre, working towards the day when they can lead normal, drug free lives again. And our resources are stretched to the limit! That’s why I’m hoping you will make a donation towards this life saving work.

As you know, this project is particularly close to my heart. Although it seems that people bring the misery of substance abuse on themselves – we only have to turn to the Gospels to be reminded how generous Jesus was with His mercy and forgiveness towards those who got themselves into trouble.

Those tragic souls in our Archdiocese who have turned to substances to dull the pain, misery, and hopelessness of their lives on the street desperately need the healing touch of your mercy. So please will you make your contribution now.

I assure you that this programme works. Two of our beneficiaries have already turned their lives around and are ready to leave us now. They’ve been trained as welders and are currently employed by a fencing contractor. Two others are working in a butchery. All have been successfully reunited with their families.

If your kindness saves just one person from the hopeless despair and degradation of addiction – and sets them on the path to a new, faith-filled future – it will be worth it, won’t it?