Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DAD’S HOMELESS HELL OVER PILLS ADDICTION Charity praised for role in helping him get clean and sober
AN addiction to painkillers after a hit-and-run as a teenager left a dad homeless and living on the streets.
The father of two from Belfast, who we agreed not to name for his privacy, said his dependence resulted in the breakdown of his marriage three years ago.
He was left with nothing and nowhere to turn to and ended up homeless.
The 33-year-old said without the help of The Welcome Organisation, he would not be alive today.
He is now clean, has moved into his own flat and is making contact with his wife and kids once again.
The man said: “I started taking painkillers when I was 15, then it became a really big problem.
“I even attempted to take my own life.
“The first winter I was on the streets there was really bad snowfall and The Welcome Organisation opened their doors 24 hours a day to help people.”
But he said being forced to sleep on the streets on occasions was a terrifying situation, and one he hoped he would never have to repeat.
The man added: “I have been off all drugs just over two years and that is down to the people here. They continue to help you even when you get your own place, they have floating support who come out every week to see if you need help with anything.”
The dad said there were a lot of stereotypes surrounding homelessness and urged the public to have more compassion and understanding for those who find themselves on the streets.
He added it was easy to become homeless but much harder to get yourself out of the situation.
He said: “My message to others would be to try and have a bit of understanding, homelessness is not the stereotype it is made out to be. God forbid it could be your brother, sister, son or daughter in that position one day, just try to have a bit of compassion.”
Speaking about the public’s reaction while he slept on the streets, the dad said he saw the good and bad sides of society.
He said: “You see people being really generous then people walking past giving you abuse. People video you and put you on Youtube and things like that so you see both sides of people, the callous and the loving.”
Now the future is looking bright for the dad who is in his own house and back in contact with his wife and children and he credits The Welcome Organisation for helping get to a good place.
He said: “Nothing seemed to be too much for them, if it was in their ability to do it for you then they would.
“I do not think I would be here today without them, not only do I not think I would be in the position I am now, I don’t think I would be alive.
“It is a steeper slope to get out of homelessness than in, you fall in but have to climb out and it is a struggle every step of the way,”