Centre students studying drug use hear from participants in Boyle jail’s outpatient treatment program

Published 8:09 am Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Students from Centre College visited the Shepherd’s House intensive outpatient center on Third Street in Danville last Monday.

The students are taking a course titled, “Drugs, the Brain and Behavior,” and the goal was to help them make connections between the information in their textbooks and the real world, said Shannon Gillespie, program director at Shepherd’s House in Danville.

Jeremy Retallack of Boyle County, who was one of the first applicants and participants of Shepherds House IOP, was one of those spoke to the students.

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Retallack said the opportunity of Shepherd’s has opened up doors for him “that I never thought I would get back.”

He is working a full-time, tax-paying job and attends Shepherd’s House programs at night. He answered questions from Centre College students about the progression of his addiction and how he was never satisfied with what he had.

“I took for granted everyone who loved me, but I am trying to fix it,” Retallack said.

Roger Fox, Shepherd’s House’s new peer support staff member, and a former graduate of the program in Lexington, spoke about his personal trials with addiction and the path that has led him on. He now teaches at the Shepherd’s House daily and provides peer support for all the clients working on recovery.

Aaron Voris, a Mercer County resident, is also one of the first applicants and participants of Shepherd’s House program.

Voris spoke about this personal history, his path and how he is changing his actions to ensure that he is living a sober life. 

“It just feels really good to be sober. I mean really really good,” Voris said. “I don’t make a lot of money at my job, but I love what I do and I love that someone gave me a chance.”

Aaron Voris, of Mercer County, was one of the first applicants to the Shepherds House, and shares his story with Centre College students Monday as Roger Fox looks on.

Roger Fox, Shepherds House new peer support staff member, shares about his trials and tribulations with addiction and the path that it has lead him on.