The MECCA Program
The MECCA Program was developed shortly after a former client and the adopted son of our Director, Cole Izsak, succumbed to a fentanyl overdose to honour the life of Jerry Verge, aka Mecca. In 2016, the year Mecca died, the Province of British Columbia saw a peak in fatal deaths attributable to the fentanyl crisis. At the time of his passing, Mecca had been clean for over four years.
MECCA now serves as an acronym for:
Motivation & Empowerment to Completely Combat Addiction
Since its implementation at Back On Track Recovery, MECCA has garnered the attention and respect of the Vancouver Drug Court, our judicial system (to include several judges and members of Crown Council), adult corrections, and the public and recovery community at large. It is recognized by many as a most worthy accomplishment and a step towards the path of redemption. Often, clients who have received certificates of completion are acknowledged in court proceedings and receive adjusted sentences, some even list program completion on their resumes as they return to the workplace. MECCA was strategically designed with the addict in mind, and efforts were made to keep it interesting, so that clients stay engaged as they progress through the curriculum. Unlike most other supportive recovery and treatment programs, MECCA does not depend solely on the “Big Book” or the AA/NA Program but rather explores all the various prescribed responses to addiction such as Smart Recovery, the Wellness Wheel, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, religion, etc, thereby, giving the recovering addict an opportunity to design a program which may resonate best with the individual. The program is a holistic, humble approach which touches on a wide spectrum of topics to include life skills, relapse prevention, anger management, nutrition, hygiene and etiquette, recognizing dreams and goals, and a host of other inspiring, yet important lessons, so that clients, not only learn to live a life free from all mind-altering substances, but also how to respect themselves and be proud as they venture a better life through their commitment to recovery. Through the use of instructional videos, client sharing and participation, testimonials, writing assignments, introspection, etc., our program directors or an approved staff person facilitates daily one-to-two-hour sessions which cycle to completion every 8 to 9 weeks, after which a graduation ceremony occurs, and a certificate of completion is awarded to the graduate.
These are pretty special days
