Opiate Awareness Institute (OAI) is really excited to pioneer a new approach to addiction recovery. It is our belief that total recovery can be achieved in a large percentage of youth addictions. Subjecting youths to the adult formula of “every day is a day of recovery” will manifest exactly that… and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
“If you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you have always gotten.”
At OAI, we believe we can change the outcome of lives by offering somewhere to go after addiction treatment, that is so very different, that has more adventure and excitement than drugs, and that gives youths an opportunity to discover themselves and enables them to chose the direction their lives take. A place so unlike their home, treatment center, or any place they ever been, that the only triggers they would find may be on the grip of a spear-gun.
We've started with our first ship, "Awareness Won", a 91' ex-Coast Guard Cutter, and are hopeful and prayerful to add more as the program grows. We hope to make this program equally available to all financial classes. Our 3-4 month semester long program aboard OAI's research vessel includes Caribbean adventure of NOAA sanctioned activities, marine archaeology, and possibly making history as we search for Joshua Slocum's lost vessel "Spray" in the West Indies... among other potential adventures.
"Awareness Won" supports our four (4) permanent crew members and six (6) students. Our current schedule has us departing by the end of March, but we will welcome students as early as February to assist in outfitting and acquire some training. Although there is a lot of fun to be had, this is a real working expedition with serious responsibilities, duties, and need for discipline. What they don't have, they will learn.
Our recent web posts have caught the attention of Dr. Kevin Fleming, PhD, founder of Grey Matters International, who would like to compare the neuro-data of our post-treatment youths to those who return to their home and known environment. He has asked to come out to the Caribbean, mid-tour, to measure our youths. And, after conversations with him about his studies, We know we are on the right track with recovery technique and the possibility of total recovery.
We have to put the ship in the yards at Tarpon Springs where there’s a rail to haul her. Renowned Wally Ericson, of Gulf Marine Ways has agreed to renovate her hull and drive gear, in addition to providing his expertise in outfitting the vessel for her journey and mission. They have offered to help out the kindness of their hearts and without profit, but we do have to cover the costs of parts, materials & outsourced services. Their estimate is $10,000 for us to have a safe, sound vessel that will service the organization for years and hold its value. The renovation is expected to take 2-3 weeks, so we are eager to get started to insure an end of March departure.
With the success and sustainability of this pilot program, we are keeping an eye on a little bigger boat to add to the fleet. She’s located in Madeira Beach and will soon be forced to move, and with no place to go. We believe we can get our hands on her with a prayer and a song. This vessel would serve about 16-18 youths per semester. Prayers and faith will get us there… it’s working for us every day
We need support and funding to finish this vessel by March end. We are also accepting candidates for the March departure.
