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Art helps addicts beat the blues

Monday, 24 March 2008

FORMER drug users and alcoholics are finding that the road to recovery is also the pathway to finding their creative inner artist.
A number of recovering addicts have made the discovery thanks to a unique programme on the Southside that actively involves them in art projects while also providing an opportunity to overcome their dependence problems.
RADE (Recovery through Arts, Drama and Education) based just off New Street in Dublin 8, engages active and recovering drug users in various art projects.
Working in different art forms enables participants to focus on their creativity and explore artistic outlets as an alternative to drug use.
Those involved in the scheme regularly exhibit their artwork and perform drama productions in public and community venues.
RADE's training programme is also designed to inspire confidence building and open participants up to potential education and employment opportunities.
Jimmy Wynne (54), from Finglas, has been a participant in RADE since June 2006. He was living homeless on the streets of Dublin for nearly 20 years until the Dublin Simon Community provided him with permanent accommodation recently.
Jimmy, who is a recovering alcoholic, said the programme had not only given him new purpose in his life, but it had helped him to stay off booze for the last year. He also said that working on his creative side had been a crucial factor in helping him to fight against his debilitating depression.

“The course has benefited me because it gives me something to get up for in the morning, something to work towards,” he said.
Involved
“At times I get very depressed. I am on disability. There was a period recently in my life, which was a very dark time for me and I didn’t want to get involved in anything.
“I was just drinking and I was in and out of a psychiatric hospital. This project has helped me tremendously not only with my alcohol addiction but also with my depression. It has given me huge confidence and stability in my life.”
In a novel way of focusing their minds and unlocking their creative energies participants in the scheme practice the martial art of Tai Chi every day.
Jimmy said he had always been interested in martial arts and that Tai Chi was the perfect way for him to start the day because it allowed him to focus on his artistic pursuits.
“It helps my mind to relax and it is great for posture,” he said. “It is a great way for slowing you down in the morning because your head could be racing.”
Jimmy said he was particularly interested in the theatre and drama aspects of the programme and he is hoping to make a video documentary on homeless people in Dublin.
Such luminaries as film director Lenny Abrahamson, who made the award winning film Adam and Paul which was a tragic comedy on the exploits of two Dublin heroin addicts, have worked on several different projects at RADE.
According RADE manager, Michael Egan, one participant worked with Abrahamson on the film and has gone on to work professionally in other theatre productions in Dublin.
Mr Egan said that the aim of the programme was to provide an environment that was sufficiently stimulating to replace the need for drugs and alcohol in participant’s lives.
He said that in normal circumstances many substance abusers often find it difficult to actively participate or even get the opportunity to appreciate art and that the project was helping to change this.
“If a drug user goes to a theatre tomorrow night or a gallery they are often identifiable for several reasons,” he said. “Firstly they might look affected by the substances.
“Secondly their health could be bad because there is a huge proportion of drug users affected by HIV and hepatitis B. We find that a lot of people that are in our programme are staying in hostels and many of them are not accepted in places where art is exhibited.”
He added: “It gives people more of a purpose and the participants can tell people that they are involved in something positive.”
The Minister with Special Responsibility for Drugs, Pat Carey, will open RADE’s annual showcase at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar at 12pm on May 7.
This year’s RADE produced play called ‘Raiders of the Lost Art’ - based on the Irish legend of An Táin - will also open in the Pavillion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire on May 21.
An exhibition of art created by RADE participants over the last year will also be shown in the atrium of Dublin City Council’s offices beginning June 30.

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