The executive director of the U-Turn Addiction Recovery Drop-In Centre in Carbonear says he has seen a big change in the severity of addictions that people are dealing with over the last few years.

The centre, which first opened 15 years ago as a volunteer initiative, has since grown into a resource that offers various supports and referrals.

Executive director Jeff Bourne says the types of drugs that people are using and the effects of those substances on people have evolved.

He has seen the effect it is having on people living with addiction.

He says years ago when people came in looking for help, he could tell they had a problem. Now,”they’re totally emotionally, mentally, and spiritually bankrupt” and are often sick both mentally and physically.

Bourne says he has seen a “small shift” in the stigma around addiction, though there is still a lot of work to do.

He says he has noticed a lot more people reaching out for help, which he attributes to word-of-mouth because people are getting better.