By Tanya Cronin

Out of the Ashes and into a healthier life

May 1, 2018 | 3:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — The decision that can lead to a life of addiction can come at almost any age. But the moment a person decides to move out of the ashes of dependency, often doesn’t come until well into adulthood. Along with its detox program, the Phoenix Centre in Kamloops offers programs to help someone with that next step of overcoming an addiction. Ashes to Dust and Out of the Ashes, both provide a crucial outlet.

When Jay Roque entered an inpatient rehab program nearly four years ago, he was miserable.

“I used drugs, heavy drugs and alcohol for probably about five or six years, and it culminated in being homeless on the streets here in Kamloops, I lost who I was as a person, I felt like I lost my riding community, I had lost everything,” says Roque. 

But now, a serious addiction that progressed from casual cocaine use, to crack and eventually meth, all seems like a distant memory. This 38-year old is clean and content, crediting a renewed love of cycling for his success.

That ‘huh’ when you’re scared when you’re riding, that’s what I found in drugs and alcohol, so I was able to buy it, whereas now I’m back to getting it the natural way.

Soon after Jay arrived at the Phoenix Centre in Kamloops to begin his treatment program, he joined the Ashes to Dust Mountain Bike Camp. The skills and tools learned have given him the self-confidence needed to transform his life for the better, and evenutally become a mentor for others.

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“Seeing the bikes all around town because we get 15 riders, to see them all around town and to see the youth on them using them, for me that’s the biggest payback.”

The struggle to regain control of her life wasn’t simple for Jamie Lynn Burt. The 23 year old battled an IV Opiate addiction that resulted in multiple overdoses, and at one point put her in a coma.

“At age 11, I saw how my mom coped with her life at that time, so she would abuse alcohol, so I thought that’s how you dealt with life, so I began drinking until intoxication, then I was using ecstacy, mushrooms, marijuana, acid and then at age 15 I began dabbling in cocaine,” says Burt.

But through detox at the Phoenix Centre, she’s now celebrating triumph over adversity. Jamie Lynn is an Out of the Ashes Bursary recipient. Honoured for her efforts to lead a healthier life, the bursary program, which provides between $500 and $2500 has given her a jump start on education.

“I’m currently attending TRU in hopes to be a therapist that one day helps children who suffer from trauma,” says Burt. 

Any addict will tell you the journey to sobriety isn’t easy, but having an outlet can aid in the recovery process. For Jay Roque, that rings true. In four years of being clean, he’s secured his own apartment and logs nearly 30 hours biking every week. Ashes to Dust saved him, and he’s hoping to help others peddle their way into a new life as well. 

“It’s not about the sport itself either, it’s about giving those kids a tool to use, reliable transportation to a job, to school, just an outlet in general,” says Roque.

The Ashes to Dust Mountain Bike Camp is a two day event for young people aged 14 to 25 that face addiction, or any barriers in their life. 

Applications are open for this year’s camp, which will be held September 13th and 14th at the Kamloops Bike Ranch. 

Applications are also being accepted for the Out of the Ashes Bursary, a post recovery initiative that has awarded 34 bursaries over 11 years and nearly $80,000.  

For more information and to apply for either of these programs – visit www.phoenixcentre.org