My turning point came after my last release

‍“Highpoint gave me the morale boost I needed. 90% of the hard work of recovery is up to us as an individual, but I had a safe space and support to make my own choices.”

My teenage years were a turbulent mix of smoking and rebellion, which eventually led me down the path of substance abuse and drug trafficking. After being in and out of prison for more than a decade, my turning point came after my last release. As I was determined to turn my life around once and for all, I decided to come to HCSA Highpoint in 2019 after unsuccessful attempts at securing my own housing.

HCSA Highpoint’s community-style living and strong support were pivotal in my recovery journey. I looked forward to activities like bowling and weekly house meetings where we could share our experiences without fear of judgment. I would rush back from work to attend these sessions because they helped ensure my free time was properly used and that I had the necessary social support to help me reintegrate back into society.

HCSA Highpoint also assisted me with my housing application so I could focus on my job and continue supporting my mother, who currently lives in Malaysia. At present, I have been “clean” for seven years (and counting) and will never go back to my previous ways.

My mum is happy for me now because I am doing fine. As my age is catching up, I only want to stay “clean”, have a roof over my head, a steady job, return home and have quiet nights. My dreams may not be big, but because of Highpoint, I have stability in my life now. I am grateful for that.