Carole James is one of B.C.'s most recognizable faces - a longtime social advocate, former Victoria school board chairwoman and former B.C. NDP leader.
Through it all, her son Evan's 15-year battle with alcoholism remained her family's private and untold story.
At times, he disappeared without a word into the dangerous drug world of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. He tried several times to take his own life. For years, he cycled in and out of treatment programs, always with the support of his family.
Evan's recovery, Carole says, is nothing short of courageous. It began as she was being forced out of the NDP leadership. In a role reversal, he is now part of his mom's support network. His story has refuelled the MLA's desire to stay in politics, to work from the inside to improve B.C.'s addictions treatment system.
Evan recently began talking with at-risk youth about his addiction experience. Today, he shares his story with Times Colonist readers. >
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