JOURNEY AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION BEGINS IN GLACE BAY

GLACE BAY - A Pictou man is lobbying the government for more funding
for addiction services - by bike.

Doug MacBain, 29, began Ride for Recovery in Glace Bay, Monday, a
cross-country bike tour to raise funds and awareness for addiction
services in the province.

"I battled addiction for 14 years and now I am passionate about
helping others out. I will also be carrying a petition (seeking) more
funding and treatment programs for addiction services."

His tour, which he expects to end in Vancouver June 16, will include
stops at Wal-Marts and schools where he will tell his story.

"I am not looking to save the world, but if I can even help one
person, it will be worth it."

He will also be seeking donations for Recovery House in Antigonish,
which has been temporarily closed due to a lack of funding.

MacBain began a battle with alcoholism at age 13 and by age 14 he was
using drugs. He was incarcerated twice as a youth, he was placed in a
provincial prison three times and was jailed in a federal prison three times.

On his eighth trip to prison, he reached his breaking point.

"I have two young children, ages two and four, and last time it was
hard, doing time while a family was waiting for me."

After prison he entered a halfway house, then the Recovery House
addiction program in Antigonish. He began attending church and
reading the Bible.

"I have been clean for two years."

He recently completed a general arts and science program at the Nova
Scotia Community College in Truro and in the fall will start a
two-year program with hopes of becoming an addiction counsellor.

He met Wade Sack and Jacob Googoo at school; after hearing his story
they joined his quest.

They will accept donations to help with expenses - gas, lodging,
food. A support car is accompanying the trio.

They will also be passing out flyers encouraging people to mail
donations to Recovery House.

Sack had personal reasons for accompanying MacBain.

"I lost a brother to drugs. The second anniversary was yesterday (April 29)."

Leo Cameron, general manager of Recovery House in Antigonish, said
they are proud of MacBain's journey.

"He has done really well since being in the program."

Recovery House opened in 1971 and has been offering a four-week,
in-residence program at St. Martha's Hospital in Antigonish since
1994. Now they are in limbo.

"They are undergoing an expansion at the hospital and needed the room."

Four thousand people have gone through the program since 1971.