Recovering addicts see their talent blossom

By Angel Roy, aroy@lowellsun.com

Article Last Updated: 04/20/2008 06:41:22 AM EDT

LOWELL -- Caterpillars grow into beautiful butterflies, but this time, a butterfly started it all and transformed itself into something even more beautiful and inspiring.

A trash barrel.

"The butterflies represent freedom, freedom from addiction," said Melissa Boisvert, 29, of Lowell. "The flowers represent growth, they need a foundation to grow, just like we need a foundation for recovery."

Butterflies and flowers of blue, green and purple were painted on 55-gallon metal trash barrels yesterday by Boisvert and other members of SOAP (Structured Outpatient Addiction Program). The barrels were unveiled during yesterday's Earth Day celebration at the Community Gardens Greenhouse and will be placed between Merrimack and Market streets, lining the sidewalk near the program's base.

"I was an addict and I went into SOAP to turn my life around and to relearn what I un-learned along the way," said Boisvert, a recent SOAP graduate. "Doing this I feel like I'm giving back to to society."

The project began when Janice Pokorski, co-founder of the Community Gardens Greenhouse, spoke to them about recovery. Group members wanted to know what they could do to help.

"When we first started everyone was like 'We can't paint!'" said Robin Brown, a SOAP caseworker. "But then they started learning how to make the flowers and butterflies. After that the stronger ones began to encourage those not as talented, and when new people came in those people were able to able someone else. It was a great group effort."

"We are here to help one another, we're not here to judge," said group member Leslie Rosado, 37, of Lowell, who is approaching 60 days of sobriety. "I've grown and now I'm living the life I really wanted. I want to the help give the community of addicts the hope of life and I want them to know they will find it in SOAP."

Group member Bobby Lockett, 42, of Lowell, s new to the group but came to support his peers.

"These will be colorful in the community," Lockett said. "You see so much litter, this will brighten up the neighborhood."

One barrel was covered with international flags, created to show that addiction doesn't discriminate.

The name "Janice "was carefully placed on each barrel in remembrance of Janice Lacroix, the director of the program who died in December.

An acrostic poem was written on one of the barrels: "N" for never losing faith, "C" for compassion for lives.

"She really helped get this established," Brown said.

Another barrel read: "Addiction is a disease. Educate yourself."

"When the cans get to Merrimack Street I hope they will brighten up the city and the hearts of suffering addicts," Rosado said.

"Addicts always feel like they don't belong anywhere," Brown said. "This project made everyone feel like they really belong, the barrels will be shown in the city and they had a part in that, to them it really means a lot."