The drug overdose epidemic hits close to home for Johnston Center resident Lisa. “I’ve lost so many people and seen so many people in my life on drugs, and I’ve lost people to drug overdoses.”

The death of her best friend was an especially painful loss. Fighting back tears, Lisa shared, “That was such a devasting moment for me when she passed away because I had no idea she was on drugs. It still devastates me to this day.”

For the past four years, Lisa has called Johnston Center Residences home. Residents, most of whom have experienced homelessness and/or have disabilities, get together regularly for onsite programming. “We get together three to four times a month for different programs that are going on here at the building. It gives us that sense of community and togetherness,” she explained.

Lisa, along with seven other residents, recently completed a 12-month initiative called “Enhanced Illness Management and Recovery,” a pioneering program that integrates care for mental illness and substance use disorders. Fostered out of residents’ desire to have an onsite support group, coupled with wanting to provide them with coping skills and harm reduction tools, the program’s success has impressed Clarissa Cameron, Regional Director of Resident Services. “It is amazing to see them not only complete the program but continue to support each other in their recovery journeys.”

As a recovering addict, Lisa wanted to learn how she could better support the people in her life who are struggling with substance use. “It was very informative on what drugs are out here, and the different kinds of drugs people are using and why they are using.”

The program also helped her to understand her relationship to substance use. “I was an alcoholic. I would drink a fifth and a half a day. I know what it feels like to be sad. I’m proud that I came out of that to be able to tell my story and hopefully be able to help somebody else…I’ve been through a lot. I’ve been through abuse: physical, mental, and sexual abuse. I’ve learned a lot going through it. It partially made me as strong a woman as I am today. I’m proud I made it through with my life.”

Lisa hopes to use her experiences to help others going through similar challenges by becoming a peer support counselor. “So many people that are dying are dying alone because they are feeling so ashamed about the habits they have, and they need to know that they are not alone because they have someone here to lean on, to talk to.”