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Robinson Gives Illness A Human Face
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n805/a10.html
Newshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Mon, 31 May 2004
Source: Surrey Now (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc., A Canwest
Company
Contact: canderson@thenownewspaper.com
Website: http://www.thenownewspaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm
(Treatment)
ROBINSON GIVES ILLNESS A HUMAN FACE
Six years ago, Gary Robinson was a well-respected Surrey councillor
whose charismatic style livened up dull council meetings and generated
interest in city hall happenings.
He wasn't all show, either. His contributions to Surrey can be
seen throughout the city in the form of recreation centres and preserved
green space. He even fought for more recovery homes in Surrey.
He stuck up for the little guy, sided with the big guy once in a while
and never toed the party line for the sake of toeing the party line.
Today he's lying in a hospital bed battling a serious substance abuse
problem and recovering from second- and third-degree burns to 25 per
cent of his body.
Of course Robinson is ultimately responsible for his situation.
Still drug abuse is as much a sickness as a criminal act and sick people
usually get help. According to Robinson's wife Susan Sanderson,
from whom he is separated, he recently tried to get into a treatment
facility and waited three weeks for space to come available. A lot
can happen to a drug addict in three weeks, and to Robinson, a lot did.
It's easy to dismiss the issue. It's far more difficult and
courageous to deal with it. So there are two things we hope come
of this tragedy: that Robinson finally receives the help he needs; and
that his fall from grace gives substance abuse the human face it needs
to prompt society to do a better job of addressing it.
Drug addiction could happen to anyone. It could happen to you.
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