Series: The Drug Issue: Part 2 Of 13

FARMERS FIGHT DRUG ADDICTIONS

A Former Surrey Resident Who Lived On The Dark Side Found The Light At A
Langley Farm Community Dedicated To Helping Men With Addictions

Scott Lavers remembers the very moment he hit rock bottom.

About a year ago, the former Surrey resident was by himself, driving across
the Port Mann Bridge on his way to pick up more drugs. He was considering
veering his car off of the bridge. Call it divine intervention, but a phone
call stopped him from possibly killing himself.

"For some reason, my cell phone rang. It was my mom and she just happened
to live on the other side of the bridge. I don't know why she phoned me,
but she just told me to come home."

The day before, Scott looked in the mirror and didn't like what he saw: "I
was searching myself, and all I saw was death and destruction and it scared
the living crap out of me."

When he was 13, Scott tried smoking marijuana and using alcohol. Three
years later, at 16, he discovered harder drugs, like cocaine, LSD and
mushrooms.

"Most of it was just for the self pleasure," said Scott, who is now 33 and
staying at Wagner Hills Farm, which offers support and recovery for men
with emotional and spiritual needs. "I was in love at the time and got hurt
by this girl and by some of my friends, and what I basically did was build
walls up inside me. I didn't let people in, so I couldn't be vulnerable to
being hurt."

Soon after that, he became a drug dealer.

In his early 20s, Scott's best friend died, and that expedited his downward
spiral.

"I closed myself off from all the love my family was giving me," he said.
"The only way I could ease my pain was to get high and be around people I
thought were my friends, but they were basically using me."

Scott used cocaine regularly from the age of 20 onward. Six years ago, he
started smoking crack, and he's considered himself an alcoholic since he
was 17.

"The cocaine was in there from the time I was 19 up until eight months
ago," Scott said. "It basically controlled my life. As I continued to hurt
myself and hurt people around me I closed myself off even more. The only
way I thought I could feel better is to get high. I thought it would make
me feel good for a few minutes, but then the pain would come back. I was
constantly living in pain and sorrow and shame and guilt."

He's been clean for eight months now, and hasn't been victimized by the
demons of withdrawals. He gets the urge now and then, but he has found
comfort with a higher power.

Scott is taking things one day at a time. He feels the Lord will direct him
towards a brighter future.

"I have to focus on the Lord," Scott said. "As long as He's at the end of
my goal, it will happen for me. If the Lord wants me to do something, He
will provide everything that I will need, and I will succeed at it. I love
the Lord so much. He's my shepherd and will give me everything I need."

Scott has been staying at Wagner Hills Farms since June. Along with other
residents in need of spiritual guidance, Scott spends his days working on
the farm, praying and giving and receiving support.

The days on the farm require a lot of discipline, but Scott feels that's
needed.

"Sometimes it's hard love," Scott said. "You need discipline to stretch
yourself, because change is difficult. It's gonna' hurt when you are used
to doing things one way."

Believe in the truth and believe in yourself. That's the advice Scott gives
to teens and pre-teens who may find themselves tumbling into the same trap
he did growing up.

"The only truth there is is God," Scott said. "All the good feelings we
have in the world can't compare to what the Lord can offer us. if we seek Him."