HARLEY TO HELP SOCIETY OVERCOME ADDICTIONS

Overcoming addicting habits of drug and alcohol abuse can be a treacherous
goal to achieve for any number of adults. It can be even worse for a young
teenager.

Without the supports from such organizations as The Last Door Recovery
Society, many teens could face a nasty life, living on the streets.

The society is now asking for the community's help to ensure that doesn't
happen.

The Last Door Recovery Society is holding their seventh annual Harley
Davidson raffle, with all proceeds going towards the youth drug and alcohol
treatments centre in New Westminster.

"Money is always tough and this raffle just helps us keep the doors open,"
society spokesperson Mark Smith said.

"We don't want to turn people away ... we feel every parent with a teenager
in need deserves our help.

The youth program is a three and six month residential program, with 10
beds available.

Since 1997, it's provided necessary, basic training on how to be in life
without the use of drugs. Seven years later, Smith is still amazed of the
success they've generated.

"We've had kids come to us basically right out of jail, with no hope and no
future," he said.

"But then they're able to turn their lives around. They go back to high
school, they go to university, they build a career and then they build a life.

"It's pretty incredible."

The raffle has given away a 1948 Indian Chief, a 1969 Mach One Mustang and
five Harley Davidsons in the past. But Smith said it's not the bike that
sells the tickets.

"Harley's are mystique. They're something shiny enough to get people to
stop and talk to us," he said.

"But it's the program that sells the tickets."

Raffle tickets are $5 a piece or five for $20. The fundraiser draw date is
Dec. 20 and the society provides free lessons to the winner of the bike.