Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Monday, 21 July 2008 |
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DRUG AWARENESSRECOVERY TEAM
Bob Scott died July 18 at Prince George's Rotary Hospice House following a lengthy illness. He was 68.
Mr. Scott, who was always up front about his own drug addiction and the challenges involved with staying on the straight and narrow, served as a light for those struggling with the problem.
When he came to Prince George in the 1980s, he established Scott Family Gardeners, which provided work for recovering addicts.
The demand was so great that in 1997 he founded DART, a non-profit society, to offer recovering addicts a way to reconnect with the community through support and employment.
Early this year illness caused Mr. Scott to step down from his flagship DART program, described as unlike any others in the region, and it is now led by Gene Martell of the non-denominational Prince George City Church.
Tanya MacDonald , DART office administrator, said she'll remember Mr. Scott as "an incredibly caring and very energetic person."
"He was always concerned about the well-being of this city, and he wanted to help everyone, especially those in recovery. He often supported them financially with schooling, training, and in helping them get on their feet. He will be sadly missed."
Although a humble man, he was a strong advocate for improved drug and alcohol services, and was recognized for his efforts by a number of awards. He was among the first in 2004 to receive the Community Achievement Award from the province for his garden business and the DART organization.
On winning that award, he told The Citizen, "It's nice to be able to set an example for others in recovery. My goal has always been to take some of the stigma away from drug addicts in recovery. "I've been 13 years in recovery, but there are some doors slow to open."
He was nominated twice for the Courage to Come Back award as well as for the Business Ethics in Action Award and the province's Environmental Award.
In 2006, he was nominated as Prince George's Citizen of the Year for his contributions to social, economic and environmental areas in his work with Prince George Alcohol & Drug Services, Substance Abuse Task Force, Youth Containment Centre and DART.
His life will be celebrated during a memorial service Friday at 10 a.m. at Gateway Christian Ministries, 2055 20th Ave. A tea will follow at DART, 1122 Seventh Ave. across from city hall.
Mr. Scott was predeceased by his father, Bob. He is survived by mother, Elsie, sons Joel and Vince, daughters Stacey and Sara-Belle, brothers Doug and Kelly, sister Janice, and two grandsons.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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