COUNSELOR'S SERVICE EARNS NATIONAL HONOR

John Gary sees the world much differently than he used to. Growing up in an economically depressed area of Charleston, he knew he'd have to overcome the odds to get what he wanted.

At 24, he's started to realize his dream of success, and is being recognized on a national level for what he is giving back to society.

"People are pretty surprised when they hear what I'm doing now," he said.

Gary works as a drug and alcohol counselor at the Gibson Recovery Center in Cape Girardeau. His work keeps young people from ending up like many of the kids he knew in high school, he said.

"A lot of the kids I graduated with have turned to drugs and alcohol, and I've seen what it does to their family and friends and the impact it has on their chances for a career," he said.

On Wednesday, Gary was honored by United to Serve America, a nationwide organization, for meeting the challenges life has handed him. The Diamond Award is given to people who overcome obstacles in their lives and in return help others.

When Gary graduated from Charleston High School in 1984, he moved to Cape Girardeau and began attending Southeast Missouri State University. He earned his tuition from part-time jobs. One of those jobs was at the Gibson Center.

He eventually earned an associate's degree in counseling and is working on national certification as a substance abuse counselor.

Gary said his background gives him an edge when dealing with young addicts. Though he never got into drugs himself, he's seen it happen to people he's been close to.

"It's real difficult to make a person become responsible," he said. "When a person is on drugs or alcohol you can't rescue them, they have to become responsible.

"For example, when a person gets a DWI, you can't just go to them and say `here's your bail money, I'll get you a good lawyer.' Then they never suffer the consequences of their actions and they won't stop."

But being tough on people who are in trouble is hard, he said.

"It's much easier to keep trying to bail them out," he said.

Gary said he'd learned a lot about himself in his job.

"I was known as kind of a nerd in high school, but I knew I wanted to pursue a career," he said. "I like thinking I help people straighten out their lives."

Gary was nominated for the award by an acquaintance who works at the center. He was honored Wednesday at a special service at his church, the Futrell Temple in Cape Girardeau.

He credits being involved in his churches in Cape and Charleston with helping him want to make a better life for himself.

"I really share this award with a lot of people," he said. "My family and friends and my church."