‘I just live one day at a time’: Former drug dealer charts new path

By Nigel Maxwell

In the past few years, Prince Albert’s Joey Genereaux has gone from being at the top of the city police service’s most wanted list to being in high demand as a motivational speaker.

The 40-year-old has speaking engagements booked this month in a number of northern Saskatchewan communities including Flying Dust, Witchekan Lake and Turnor Lake. Genereaux took some time to speak to paNOW about his struggles with addictions, and what it took to break the cycle.

Where it started

Genereaux recalled smoking pot and drinking around the time he was 17, all while playing hockey for the midget AAA Beardy’s team. However, two missed curfews resulted in him being cut from the team.

“I really started losing interest in hockey and sports and I started thinking drinking and druggin’ was cool,” he said.

By the age of 22, Genereaux had progressed to using cocaine and that’s the point he claimed he became a slave to his addiction, losing jobs and friends.

“I did it for probably 10 years and I started selling it,” he explained. “I wanted to quit but I couldn’t quit.”

Attempts to seek out help through detox and treatment centres were unsuccessful, because he claimed he had no willpower at the time to make the change.

Eventually, Genereaux also began using crystal meth. All the while, Genereaux’s criminal behaviour began to increase, ranging from thefts from vehicles to break-and-enters.

On Dec. 31, 2018, Genereaux was arrested and received a one-year jail sentence. At the time, he had 25 different charges in Prince Albert, not to mention a number of others from all over northern Saskatchewan.

A time for reflection

Crediting jail as saving his life, Genereaux said he could no longer quit on treatment programs or going to detox centres, and being alone in his cell gave him a chance to reflect on what he had done.

A number of guest speakers brought into the jail to tell their own stories also helped Genereaux begin to look at the possibility for a different life.

“I used to sell big amounts of drugs in this town and it’s nothing to be proud of, but I’ve overcome that and now I am a good member to society,” he said.

As part of his efforts to better himself, Genereaux has also embarked on a personal fitness journey and gone back to playing hockey and golf.

“I just live one day at a time,” he said.

Making a difference

With respect to what it’s like now speaking in the communities where he used to sell drugs and commit crimes, Genereaux said it’s an honour and the only way he knows for making up for the damage he caused.

“You know, I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been shot, I’ve done really bad things to people and it’s nothing I’m proud of but I just thank God every day I’m still alive from the way I used to live,” he said.

Noting the positive feedback he has received from schools he has spoken at and hearing his message has sunk in with the youth, Genereaux said he feels a sense of accomplishment.

“I know I’m an inspiration and that’s what keeps me going in my recovery,” he said.