Miles Craig considers it a calling.
The James Bay resident says drugs and alcohol are among the largest social and economic problems in Canada.
Two-and-a-half years ago Craig, 52, founded Canada’s Temperance Foundation.
“It kinda just came to me that this was what I was going to do,” Craig said. “I wrote the [foundation’s] mission statement before doing a lot of research, and the research backed up the mission statement.”
The mission of the foundation is to educate Canadians on the benefits of temperance, defined as habitual moderation or restraint in the use of alcohol and drugs.
This month the foundation launched the Be You Promise to educate and generate awareness on the benefits of life without abusing drugs or alcohol.
The promise ask online viewers to sign a pledge to drink in moderation and not use drugs. It can be found online at BUpromise.org.
Craig quit drinking eight years ago and since then has devoted his life to sobriety.
“I abused alcohol,” Craig said matter-of-factly.
“There were many times when I became intoxicated. That was accepting to be accepted, but it did have an impact on my life.”
Craig now hopes the foundation’s message can get out to thousands of Canadians with the foundation’s revamped website and Be You Promise pledge.
Over the past two years, the foundation has lobbied government and spoke to community groups and schools about temperance.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about alcohol and drugs,” Craig said.
“One of the misconceptions is that we need alcohol and drugs to relax and to have fun. We’re saying that’s not necessarily true.”
For more on Canada’s Temperance Foundation, please go online to ctfnet.org or phone 778-746-7799.