scourge is obvious. But how deep does the problem go. In the fifth story in a six-part series, Senior Reporter Matthew Taylor talks to a former addict who has now turned his life around, along with one of the many people who helped him -- drugs counsellor Sandy Butterfield.

Tomorrow: An in-depth interview with National Drugs Commission CEO Dr. Derrick Binns.

Eight years ago Terry was a crack addict - now he's clean and able to travel the world sharing the hope Narcotics Anonymous has given him.

"If it wasn't for N.A. I would be in jail. It was only a matter of time before I was jailed for possession or stealing to support my habit.'' Terry's message is a simple one - you can't beat drugs alone. Every minute of every day there is someone on call who can help him if he should stray.

And in the mutual support world of N.A. Terry (not his real name) is there to help others who are taking the first steps to beating their sickness.

N.A. novices are in for a rude awakening. Terry says: "There are 90 meetings in 90 days.

"There's laughter and a lot of hugging - men hug men. It seems very odd at the beginning for sure. Now I view it as special fellowship.

"There is a strong bond -we're like a family. We all know the pain, the self loathing. You are not alone.

"You are able to feel that and come together for help, grow and share our lives.

"`My sponsor's 18 years clean. He's been where I've been - he has practical experience - he's able to help me because he knows what I have done. "Being a sponsor is tough but it's also a blessing. It's tough because you want the very best for them but it doesn't always work out.

"But it's a blessing if you can help someone live instead of continue killing themselves.

"I tell them call anytime of the day or night.'' If he gets a call for help Terry goes through the 12 Steps -- the core philosophy of N.A. -- over the phone.'' The early days are tough. "It's a big challenge. It's extremely bleak in the beginning.

"You have to have the will power to change. Particularly with heroin where there is a very physical withdrawal.

"N.A. members don't care what you used or how much, just what you are going to do about your problem and how they can help.

"The first step is to accept your addiction has made your life unmanageable.

"People want to hang out with the same people and the same areas or they say they want to save a friend.

"I was willing to do anything to get better - things were falling apart.

"Most of the steps are principals of humanity and your sponsor teaches you to apply it to your life.'' Each meeting has a theme. Terry explains: "Friday is the `Better late than never group' while Saturday is the `Show me how to live' group.

"Friday's meetings run a lot longer, it's a good suggestion to be around that crowd as opposed to being alone at the end of the week with no money.'' Breaking the chain of addiction But N.A. members rarely lack company. "We go bowling, we play mini-golf, we brought in the New Year together. There are parties and dinners.

"I've been to six different countries. I've stayed with members who I don't know and who don't even speak the same language but they welcome you.

"In Turkey someone I'd never met travelled for two and a half hours on public transport just to make sure I got to the N.A. meeting.'' N.A.'s philosophy stresses a belief in a higher power. But Terry points out that atheists are welcome and that the higher power is non-denominational.

"A lot of people start off as atheists. It is not about Christ or Allah.

There are Narcotics Anonymous groups all over the world.'' But despite the mutual support network there are times when the recovering addict is totally alone.

"When there is no one you can talk to easily the higher power is very beneficial. I pray every day -it's a significant part of recovery.'' But although his life has been turned around Terry is never totally free of his addiction.

He says: "An addict is always vulnerable -- just like a diabetic is always vulnerable to illness if they over eat or don't exercise.

"I struggle -- if I had a drink tonight I would be in a lot of trouble.

"I go to two or three meetings a week - it's central to my life. I know people with 40 years clean who are still in the organisation helping others get on the right road.

"Now when I call my sponsor it's not that I want to use. I just need the support.

"Some people use the church, other people use nothing, N.A. is what I use.''