Terry Sallis stood outside of the Center for Arts & Artists on Friday having what appeared to be a casual conversation in a circle of people. Sallis, an average height 61-year-old African American, stood with his hands in his khaki shorts chatting with a young man in a plain white T-shirt and jeans who appeared to be in his late teens or early 20s. To his left stood Karen Sallis and Kim Zantingh. They all wore smiles.

But, as relaxed as the circle appeared, the implications of the gathering could have profound effects on the young man’s lifestyle and future — a path that Terry knows intimately.

“We were just talking to a guy out here a few minutes ago and he said, ‘I think I need a little bit more help than just myself,’” Terry said a short time later in his office. “And for the most part, addicts think that this is a disease or a disorder that they can fix themselves without the help of other people, and that’s just simply not the case.”