Pubdate: Mon, 15 May 2006
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: John Pigeon, 24 Hours
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

FAMILIES CALLING FOR HELP TO DEAL WITH ADDICTS

Every day in downtown Vancouver you can see the ghostly souls that
have fallen into the patterns of addiction.

But the first inaugural Walk and Rally in support of families living
with addiction brought 300 of the less-evident victims to Victory Park
in support of each other and the loved ones they have lost to drugs.

Eva Stano helped organize the event and with a heavy heart she
delivered her message loud and clear - the time for silence is over.

"If people know that behind every single person on the streets is
somebody who loves them, it's going to make a difference," she said.
"My hope is that this is going to make people more open, that they
will not hide anymore if they have somebody in the family who is an
addict."

Eva's battle with addiction began when her teenage son George began
drinking heavily, smoking pot and using cocaine.

Eva's daughter Katia watched as her older brother slowly slipped away
from the family, a memory that is never ending for families in their
position.

"It means so much to our family to have this talked about, my brothers
been addicted for twenty years," Katia said.

She has stories to tell about saving her brother but according to her
the tales are endless.

"If it had been a stray dog that I had rescued I would know exactly
where to go with him. I would call the SPCA, yet when I had my brother
there I was completely helpless," she said. 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)