WEST MILFORD A spirited choir, made up of about 30 residents of Straight and Narrow, Inc., a substance abuse treatment center in Paterson, N.J., received a warm welcome and, at times, standing ovations from the parishioners of Saint Joseph Church recently. The upbeat gospel style music had the congregants at the 10:30 Mass in the Parish Center, tapping their feet, clapping their hands and singing along. Accompanied by Monsignor Louis Bihr, director of Pastoral Care at Straight and Narrow, the gospel choir arrived by bus, toting their musical instruments and choir robes, ready to play and sing. Straight and Narrow, under the auspices of Catholic Charities, provides programs for the treatment and prevention of substance abuse. It also provides programs dedicated to homelessness, neglect, single parenthood and HIV/AIDS. There are teen and out-patient programs, a methadon clinic, a detox center and daycare centers, as well as 72 apartments available for people living with AIDS. During his sermon, Monsignor Bihr noted that New Jersey has the dubious distinction of having available on the streets the “purest heroin in the country.” He said that this leads to a more rapid addiction, one that is more difficult to overcome. Giving testimony to Straight and Narrow’s successful programs, choir member Deborah came forward to speak about the troubled path she had traveled, one which led to her residency at Straight and Narrow. A victim of child abuse, she turned to drugs to feel good about herself. She was married for 17 years and has two children but left her family because they, like everything in her life, took a back seat to her drug addiction. Overwhelmed with shame and guilt, she eventually became homeless. A good friend persuaded her to “look in the mirror” and face her problem. She now has hope for the future and is “letting God guide her way.” Michael is a 24-year-old whose beginnings were difficult. There was no father in the picture and although he credits his mother for doing her best, he started using drugs at age 14. During his freshman year at high school he was absent 250 days, running with a bad crowd and skipping classes to get high. By age sixteen he was selling drugs. Looking back he sees himself as arrogant and out of control. He was surrounded by “druggies” and trouble makers but enjoyed all the things his ill-gotten gains could buy. After being jailed several times he found his way to Straight and Narrow. He told the parishioners he never thought he would be standing and giving testimony he was “too tough” for that. However, after eight months at the treatment center he is looking at a brighter future. A luncheon for the choir followed the Mass.