Paulette Walker: 2005 Courage to Come Back Award Recipient

Toronto, Ontario

Paulette Walker was born and raised in Jamaica. Her childhood was scarred by experiences of violent physical and sexual abuse. As a result of her childhood 'secret', Paulette became increasingly distant from her mother and siblings and began to abuse alcohol during her adolescence as a way to cope with her traumatic experiences.

Despite her childhood hardships, Paulette's early adulthood was marked by many successes including being the runner-up for the Miss City of Montego Bay pageant. She became a talented make-up artist and opened her own beauty salon in Jamaica doing the make-up for various local beauty pageants. She also hosted her own radio show. After moving to Toronto, she worked in salons and even was given the job of make-up artist at the prestigious Gemini Awards. It was during this time that Paulette was introduced to 'free-basing' cocaine and her drug use took a problematic turn.

Over the next 20 years Paulette struggled with the combination of alcohol and crack cocaine use, which eventually led to homelessness, the loss of contact with her family, losing custody of her children, violence and abuse at the hands of others, unemployment and a chronic sense of hopelessness. At one point, she ended up at a crack house where she stayed for two weeks, leaving her 12 year old son with her roommate.

As a result of her first drug charge, Paulette entered the Drug Treatment Court (DTC) Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and was released from custody into a recovery home for women. Paulette was full of regret, shame and fear, but she was also full of determination. She quit using drugs in the first week of the program and has remained abstinent throughout, seizing every opportunity for growth and attending all of her group and individual sessions as well as all of her court dates.

During her six months at the home, Paulette took a food services course and learned to live a structured and productive life. She reconnected with her family and began developing a relationship with her son. After moving into her own apartment she took a full-time position in the cafeteria at CAMH, where she is known not only for making legendary soup, but especially for her infectious charm and friendliness.

Today Paulette travels to various jails to share her story and inspire others. In March of this year, Paulette was invited by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to travel to Vienna, Austria, to once again share her story of recovery and success.

After a 20-year battle with cocaine addiction and alcohol abuse, Paulette came out on top and uses her experiences to help others. She successfully graduated from DTC and continues to be an active member of the DTC Alumni, volunteering at the courthouse by greeting clients and sharing her wisdom. She wants everyone to know that "every second of every day is a chance to turn it all around - if I can do it, so can you."