When Wake County's Alcoholism Treatment Center opened 21 years ago, mostof its patients suffered from alcoholism alone. Now, the center's chiefdoctor says at least half of the patients are addicted to cocaine, and that those addicts come from all walks of life.
Like all cocaine addicts, Ed Anderson had three options: treatment,jail or eventual death. He exhausted the first two.Before police shot him to death Monday night, Ed Anderson had been in treatment twice, he'd lost his license for driving while impaired, and hehad a record for cocaine possesion. His wife, Eileen Anderson, says he wasconstantly fighting the addiction.
To many, this Mormon husband and father doesn't "look like" a crackaddict, but Dr. John Howie of Wake's Alcoholism Treatment Center saysmany addicts don't fit the stereotype.
Mike Daniels served four years for robbing a convenience store outsideWilmington in the late 80's.
Now Daniels works for the prison counseling other addicts. He says he understands Ed Anderson's plight.
Eileen Anderson loved her husband but hated his cocaine use. Whenpolice showed up on her doorstep, she says she was hurt but not shocked.
The Mormon Church which Ed Anderson attended has set up a fund to carefor his family. Donations may be sent to:Coastal Federal Credit Union Edward Anderson Memorial Fund, P.O.Box 58429, Raleigh, NC 27658
Anderson's children range in age from two months to 12 years.
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