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.