ROBINSON GIVES ILLNESS A HUMAN FACE

Six years ago, Gary Robinson was a well-respected Surrey councillor whose
charismatic style livened up dull council meetings and generated interest
in city hall happenings.

He wasn't all show, either. His contributions to Surrey can be seen
throughout the city in the form of recreation centres and preserved green
space. He even fought for more recovery homes in Surrey.

He stuck up for the little guy, sided with the big guy once in a while and
never toed the party line for the sake of toeing the party line.

Today he's lying in a hospital bed battling a serious substance abuse
problem and recovering from second- and third-degree burns to 25 per cent
of his body.

Of course Robinson is ultimately responsible for his situation. Still drug
abuse is as much a sickness as a criminal act and sick people usually get
help. According to Robinson's wife Susan Sanderson, from whom he is
separated, he recently tried to get into a treatment facility and waited
three weeks for space to come available. A lot can happen to a drug addict
in three weeks, and to Robinson, a lot did.

It's easy to dismiss the issue. It's far more difficult and courageous to
deal with it. So there are two things we hope come of this tragedy: that
Robinson finally receives the help he needs; and that his fall from grace
gives substance abuse the human face it needs to prompt society to do a
better job of addressing it.

Drug addiction could happen to anyone. It could happen to you.