Chanh arrived in the United States in 1982. His family had passed away. He knew no one. He had fled Vietnam and survived the hazardous trip to Thailand. After living in Thailand for three years waiting for an American visa, he faced a difficult decision: to return to Vietnam and face possible execution, or to stay in Thailand and face the dangerous refugee conditions.

Fortunately, a church sponsored Chanh’s trip to the United States just in the nick of time. When he arrived, however, he faced daunting new challenges. He tried to hold down jobs, but his lack of English speaking skills got in the way. “I had never lived alone before. It was hard to live by myself. I was so scared.”

He found himself on the streets, using drugs. “When I used drugs, I didn’t know nothing else. I didn’t even worry about where I lived or if I died. It’s not life—no future, no hope, no nothing. At that time, I didn’t know that my life was terrible. Now, when I look back, I can see how ugly it was.” For seventeen years, Chanh dealt with substance use disorder. He lived in jails and on the streets. Every time he was released from jail, he told himself it was for the last time and that he would finally get sober. But he had no home to go to when he left jail and he couldn’t stay sober on the streets. “Drug Court saved my life,” he says. When he arrived there, he told himself, “This is my last chance.”

With the support of the staff at King County Adult Drug Diversion Court, Chanh was able to turn his life around. They helped him stay sober and they connected him to English classes and housing at Plymouth. “Nobody helped me like that before. I’ll never forget that place. They feel like family.”

Chanh has lived at Plymouth for several years and gets help in staying sober from our Recovery Support Program. Although he has graduated from Drug Court, he volunteers there two days a week to give back to the people he feels saved his life. About Plymouth, Chanh says, “It’s just a little thing, but the staff here show they’re concerned about me. That’s how we need to live, by watching each other’s backs.”