Murray

Drugs & Alcohol

It has taken several decades to get one man on track to a better quality of life and some inner peace. But The Salvation Army doesn’t give up, and that tenacity is now paying off for Murray.

At 73, Murray has finally found stability and his place in his community after years of wrestling with alcoholism, periods of homelessness and a string of drink driving convictions.

His first contact with The Salvation Army was in the 1960s when he first sought help to sever his dependence on alcohol. ‘Back in those days, they pulled me out of the gutter,’ he says.

Today, the softly spoken toiler is a volunteer groundsman for The Salvation Army, recently taking on the job of establishing and managing a large vegetable garden. The new garden will provide fresh vegetables for local families in need through The Salvation Army food bank.

A critical part of helping Murray establish a balanced life was finding him a home. The Salvation Army organised temporary accommodation in a boarding house while it negotiated a Housing New Zealand flat on his behalf.

Murray says his structured work life, usually six days a week, the support of a number of Salvation Army staff and attending church services have given him new confidence so that his life has turned a corner. He has a solid support network and a keen focus on remaining sober. ‘I’m very happy here with the Army, they never gave up on me. It’s a place where I feel safe.’

His work regime and the knowledge others are relying on the food he produces plays a major role in maintaining his focus, he says. ‘This garden has given me great responsibilities. I know what needs to be done and the food goes to those who aren’t so fortunate, so it’s good to be able to do that for those families.’

Murray has earned a reputation as a giver rather than a taker. Salvation Army staff say he has a high degree of pride and refuses to ask for food parcels or other assistance.

One of The Salvation Army’s long-held tenets is the firm belief in the worth of every addict and that there is no such thing as a hopeless case. Its Bridge Programme is a well-established source of expertise on addiction and serves about 3200 alcoholics and drug addicts a year throughout the country.

The Salvation Army can also help its Bridge graduates with aftercare services, supportive accommodation, and training and guidance to get back into the workforce.