Pubdate: Wed, 29 Mar 2006
Source: Comox Valley Record (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Comox Valley Record
Contact:  http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/784
Author: Colleen Dane
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

FORMER ADDICT NOW MEMBER OF ORDER OF CANADA

With family and friends looking on, Comox's John Turvey  was inducted
as a member of the Order of Canada by  Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo during
a touching ceremony  Friday.

"By installing John Turvey in the Order of Canada  today, we are
saying that John has made a difference,  that he has fostered the
development of health and  dignity amongst those who our society too
often  overlooks or deliberately avoids," said Campagnolo  during her
speech.

Addicted to heroin at 13, Turvey used his experiences  to help
marginalized people in Vancouver's Downtown  Eastside, after cleaning
himself up in his early 20s.

Turvey founded the non-profit Downtown Eastside Youth  Activities
Society to help young people find services  and support they need. The
society has four services,  including a drop-in with food and warm
clothing, a  youth detox area including withdrawal management, and a
Lifeskills program to help train for employment.

He was also instrumental in lobbying for Vancouver's  needle
exchange.

"John is a man who has been instrumental in raising  consciousness on
the subject of drug addiction but  perhaps more importantly he has
taken action to change  issues surrounding the use of drugs," said
Campagnolo.

Around 30 people watched and applauded after the medal  was pinned to
Turvey's lapel, one yelling, "Bravo,  John," amidst the cheer.

Campagnolo said she was honoured to make the trip from  Victoria to
perform the ceremony on behalf of Gov.-Gen.  Michaelle Jean. Due to a
degenerative muscle disorder  that inhibits his mobility, Turvey was
unable to travel  to Ottawa for the bigger ceremony.

"It makes me very proud of our country that recognition  is accorded a
man who's in fact defied the system," she  said at a reception that
followed the presentation.  "People like John Turvey have led the way."

His wife Deb Mearns said the honour is "absolutely  wonderful," as she
watched a photo being taken of  Campagnolo, Turvey and his grandson
Brian. In fact, it  was the eight-month-old grandson's attendance that
  really made the day for Turvey.

"This means more to him than anything - having him to  share it with,"
said Mearns.

Turvey's son Chad Jobe said he was proud of his father,  and happy to
see him recognized. 
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MAP posted-by: Tom