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Carole Mikita reportingFrom a tragic loss, a Sandy couple is reaching out to help others who suffer from the disease of addiction.
Marie and Jim Clegg say their story is no different from that of many Utah families. Three years ago, they lost their son Mike. He had become addicted to pain killers.
"Mike was in sobriety, and then he had a heart attack, and most of it was from the drugs that he had taken," Marie said.
"He was a bodybuilder. He got into steroids. He was a champion bodybuilder. Anything Mike did, he did well. But, then again, the disease of addiction," Jim said.
The key word, they say, is "disease." Other members of both of their families suffered from addictions.
But out of tragedy came a decision to reach out. With booklets and CDs, and now a first-edition newsletter, the Cleggs have created an Institute for Addiction Study.
"As we watched what happened to our son, we talked. We didn't have enough information. We didn't understand," Jim said.
The Cleggs, who are Latter-day Saints, also serve a mission for their church helping those in addiction recovery. They visit jails, prisons and other locations throughout the valley.
"I feel very passionate about this, and Marie feels the same way. If we could help but one, save the life of one ..." Jim said.
With doctors and recovering addicts, the Cleggs say they have committed the rest of their lives to saving lives. They are now in the process of creating a foundation and recovery house for those who are in sobriety. For more information, click the related link.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
