FARM FIGHTS ADDICTIONS

A working farm in Glen Valley is helping fight Langley's drug problem
by taking in addicts and showing them a new way of life.

Daniel Snider says he knows the drug treatment program at Langley's
Wagner Hills Farm works, because he's been through it.

A year after arriving at the farm with a $200-a-day heroin habit,
Snider is now helping run the program as one of five "servant leaders."

"Addiction in Canada will be best dealt with by those who have come
out from it," Snider said. "Each leader raises up another leader."

There are no hard statistics for how many people succeed in kicking
their habits through the program, but for long-term attendees it may
be higher than 80 per cent, said Snider.

"Programs that are long-term are the most successful," said
Snider.

The program typically lasts eight months, but some people have stayed
up to two years while putting together lives destroyed by crack
cocaine, heroin, or other addictions.

The program has been running for 23 years, and has no waiting list,
making it almost unique among drug rehab programs.

"If someone wants to come in, we'll take them," Snider
said.

Up to 22 men can be accommodated on the farm itself, with any new
arrivals and spillover staying in a rented house.

"If that were to fill up, we would simply rent another house," said
Snider.

People coming into the program must make a complete break with all
drugs - even nicotine.

The 45-acre farm also puts participants to work. Wagner Hills is a
working farm, and members spend their mornings working in the
greenhouse, with the animals, or doing maintenance.

They also prepare their own meals.

Afternoons are for classes, group sharing time, journal-writing about
what led them to drugs, and prayer.

The program once received annual funding of $18,598 from Provincial
Addictions Services, but was cut off for refusing to provide methadone
to its heroin addicts.

Since then, Wagner Hills has survived on private and church
donations.

The farm is now looking to expand. A separate women's facility is also
badly needed, Snider said.

He wants others to be able to change their lives in the way he has
changed.

"More than 100 per cent," he said of the difference between his old
and new lives. "Complete turnaround."