FAITH CONQUERS ADDICTIONS

Conversions Sober Some For Whom Nothing Else Works

Shane Dilley has strong faith in God. His dedication is apparent just in
his physical appearance. On Dilley's left arm is a tattoo of Jesus Christ
wearing a crown of thorns. On his right arm is a multicolored tattoo of
Calvary Hill and the three crosses.

For the past several years, Dilley has played Jesus Christ in a play at the
Salt Lake Christian Center.

But Dilley's life wasn't always dedicated to God. It used to be dedicated
to cocaine. The tattoo on Dilley's right arm used to display a panther
before a tattoo artist used a lot of ink and a lot of hours to cover it
with Calvary.

Dilley is one of a number of people formerly addicted to drugs and alcohol
who had tried nearly every rehab program available who say the only therapy
that truly worked for them was finding God.

"I wouldn't be here today if not for God. I'm certain I'd be dead by now,"
Dilley said.

Adult Probation and Parole supervisor Bradley Bassi said he has seen it
happen time and again: a parolee apparently destined to have a lifetime
pass to the state prison suddenly goes clean almost overnight, using
new-found faith in God to trade in the prison gates for hopes of the Pearly
Gates.

Mike Hansen has been in and out of prison three times during his life. The
former hard-core drug and alcohol user tried on several occasions and
through several treatment centers to get sober but failed.

He said one of the big reasons he was able to straighten out his life for
good was because he found Jesus Christ.

"I decided enough was enough. Every time I did something wrong I paid the
price," Hansen said. "I wanted to be a man of honor. I put my faith in God."

Todd Hogan has a similar story. Hogan was raised in a very religious home
but felt he couldn't "reach the standard that was set to earn God's love."
Instead, Hogan turned to drugs, becoming addicted to crack cocaine. He said
he also became an atheist.

"I had a lot of hate toward God. I felt if there was one I was going to get
back at him. I felt he'd strike me dead at any time," Hogan said.

On Feb. 16, after a night of abuse and self-torment, Hogan said, he had had
enough and cried out to God, "I can't do this anymore.

"I said, 'God, I'll give it all to you.' God has completely delivered me.
Jesus Christ has set me free," Hogan said.

Although all three men have found God, none of them claim any specific
religious affiliation.

"It wasn't religion. It was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,"
Hogan said of the higher power that delivered him from self-destructive
drug abuse.

Hansen said his father was an LDS bishop. But rather than practice LDS
beliefs, he has a relationship with a spiritual God of his own
understanding. Now, the former criminal says his mission is to love and
serve and let God guide his life.

"You have to come to a point of complete surrender. I turned my back on God
but he never turned his back on me," Hansen said.

Each man admits it's still a constant duel between letting God guide his
way and letting old demons come back to haunt him. One thing that helps
them stay on the straight and narrow path is prayer.

"I pray in the morning. I surrender my will, tell Him you are the director.
I give it all to God," Hansen said. "When I try to take control back,
that's when I fall apart."

Every year when Dilley's play runs at Christmas time he gives a testimony
at the end of each performance saying how he used to be addicted to drugs
and alcohol and now he's an example of how Christ saves.

"You don't have to go to God perfect. You go as you are," he said.

Hogan has gone from being a crackhead and an atheist to recently completing
courses at Salt Lake Theological Seminary. He said he is now seeking
ordination.

"My heart's desire it to tell the truth, to tell those caught in drug
addictions and help them," he said. "People are hurting. Drug addictions hurt."

Dilley concurred, "When you're caught up in drugs you're escaping reality.
The truth will set you free. We're all living evidence of that faith."