DRUG USER TAKES HIT FOR MOVIE

His documentary may raise eyebrows and his unorthodox method of delivery
has shock value but his message is real.

Twenty-eight-year-old Marko, an admitted drug user, claims it's too late
for him, his friends and acquaintances, but it's not too late for Surrey's
next generation.

The North Surrey filmmaker, who wouldn't provide his last name but posed
for a photo, wants civic politicians to spend at least $5 million on drug
awareness in Surrey's schools and he's using his controversial documentary
Crackass: The Surrey Movie to gain attention.

Marko says he's willing to exploit himself, other drug users and Whalley's
iniquitous reputation to get what he wants.

"I may be capitalizing on Surrey's reputation and maybe I'm a little
reckless but I'm not a stupid guy. I know that everything I've seen growing
up in Surrey has made me the way I am."

Coun. Penny Priddy, who lives in Whalley, applauds anyone who cares about
the health and safety of future generations, and she says she understands
the huge role schools play in children's lives, but she questions whether
Marko is approaching the right people. The school board and the provincial
government are ultimately responsible for the school curriculum.

Priddy also questions whether Crackass: The Surrey Movie is the right tool.

"Would I be interested in seeing this video? No, and it's not because of a
lack of interest or unwillingness. People are prepared to watch tough stuff
but Marko may need to re-evaluate what he is trying to accomplish."

But the Surrey school board doesn't want anything to do with Marko.

"We will be taking every measure possible to stop anyone from distributing
any copies of Crackass in our schools," said Theresa Campbell, manager of
Safe Schools.

"I've had parents yelling at me since seeing this guy on TV thinking this
is something we have OK'd."

Not everyone is a critic, however. Annette Welsh, director of the Front
Room, a shelter operated by South Fraser Community Services Society that
provides baseline services to anyone in need, says Marko has the right to
be heard, simply as a citizen of Surrey.

"What does it hurt them to hear what he has to offer?" asks Welsh.

Still, she cautions against distributing a film that could hurt people. And
if that's the case, she suggests police, the city and other advocacy groups
use Marko's experiences and contacts to help deliver a more appropriate
anti-drug message.

"They need to acknowledge that he has an important message, and they need
to put it in a form that is usable because the message needs to be heard,"
Welsh says.

"I admire this guy. It's pretty ballsy to put yourself out there. He's
willing to put his life under the microscope because he doesn't want anyone
else to follow in his footsteps," she adds.

The documentary's trailer offers little more than Jackass-style stunts and
dangerous antics, but Marko admits he'll do "whatever it takes to grab the
attention needed."

But the full documentary includes real interviews with drug-addicted street
people. One scene provides a glimpse into the life of a drug-addicted
ex-prostitute living on the street. Another depicts an irate homeless man
walking shoeless. He says he's been banned from the place he left his shoes.

Meanwhile, Guildford resident Jim Eaton spent several hours Wednesday
tearing down posters in Whalley and Guildford advertising Marko's Web site.

The posters, says Eaton, are inappropriate because they show nudity and
drug use.

"The posters are ridiculous. That's fine and dandy if they have a good
cause but six-, seven- and eight-year-olds don't understand the politics of
running a community, they just see pictures of things they don't
understand," says Eaton.

Marko admits the posters are explicit but said, "I want to show how people
will bend over backwards to clean up my posters, but not to clean up the
parks and schools of used needles and dirty condoms."

Marko claims Crackass: The Surrey Movie will be released Sept. 7.