Barbara Roden
Free Press
Seven years ago Dustin Milne was in a motorcycle accident that almost cost him his life, but even that life-changing incident wasn’t enough to help him turn away from his addictions.
“I spent more than a year after that battling my addictions,” says Milne from his Abbotsford home, where he lives with his wife and two young daughters.
“But eventually I hit emotional and spiritual rock bottom when my brother said something simple to me.”
Seeing the pain Milne was causing his wife, his brother asked point-blank: “Why did you put a ring on her if you’re going to do this to her?”
That was enough for Milne to seek help from the Psalm 23 Transition Society (P23TS), which was then operating in Abbotsford under executive director Marvin Declare who has the society’s second transition centre at 59 Mile a few kilometres north of Clinton.
“It was a case of me wanting help, not being told to get it.”
With the assistance of P23TS, Milne came to know God and was able to turn his life around. Now, he helps others struggling with addictions by going to an addiction recovery mission in Abbotsford once a week, where he shares his testimony and talks with people about their struggle.
“It helps that I can relate to people,” he says.
Counsellors are good, he notes, but often have nothing but textbook knowledge.
“I can help people because I’ve been there. My phone is always on for people who are ready and willing to talk.”
On Nov. 13, Milne mark six years of sobriety, and credits P23TS. “If anyone is struggling with an addiction, it’s an awesome opportunity to restart your life.”
At this year’s Starfish Awards Dinner and Auction, held in 100 Mile House on Oct. 24, Milne was presented with the Courageous Star Award.
“Recipients have to have at least five years’ sobriety, and be active in giving back to the community,” says Declare. “Dustin continues to lead ministry groups, and if someone out there needs help, he’s wonderful. He’s transformed his life.”
At the event, P23TS gave Volunteer Appreciation awards to community members, including Bob Rodford, Vicky Escobedo, Larry Hilstad, Reg Berrington, Dave and Vicky Skoda and Mike Boyd.
The Community Sponsorship Awards went to Sunrise Ford, Donex Pharmacy, 100 Mile House Free Press, The Goat, Century Home Hardware, Andre’s Electronics, Regency Chrysler, Tim Hortons, Save-On-Foods, Norbord Inc., TIMBER MART, Tasco Supplies, Safeway, United Concrete, Central GM and the Royal Bank.
Psalm 23’s evening raised $3,346.00 and then added the matching grant of $1,650.00 (which excludes money from silent auction and ticket sales) for a total of $4,996.00.
“Our hope is the community can see we are being pro-active to building a future and that we can do this together.
“Our greatest need at this time is to ask people to pray for the students as they battle the difficult journey of change and Psalm 23’s financial shortfall to meet the budget obligations.”
People who want to make a year-end donation to Psalm 23 can send a cheque to Psalm 23 at Box 387 Clinton, BC, V0K 1K0 or call 250-459-2220 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
