From His Heroin to His Honor

Back in 69’ Donald Kurth wasn’t worried about being homeless being much more focused on where he would score the heroin he needed to support his addiction. The days of his substance abuse are now long gone and not only does he have a home in Rancho Cucamonga, he is also the mayor. While many in this growing city of 200,000 refer to Mr. Kurth as “His Honor” the mayor, you will also hear him referred to as doctor. Mr. Kurth also just happens to be the Chief of Addiction Medicine at Loma Linda University's Behavioral Medical Center.

Things were much different almost forty years ago.

Donald Kurth stood in a New Jersey courtroom in 1969 at the mercy of the judge. A heroin addict, Kurth had been arrested for petty larceny and drug possession. His oversized jeans sagged at the waist. His belt had been stolen that week by a corner drug-seller in Harlem. Perhaps seeing a speck of promise in the 20-year-old, the judge offered him drug rehab instead of jail. Kurth balked. If he did the time, he'd be back on the street sooner. Consider it a gift and take it, his attorney told him.~Faces and Voices of Recovery

Here’s another TDA salute, going out to a man who not only leads by example in the recovery community but continues to give back in his role as a recovery professional.

Kudos to His Honor the Mayor, Dr. Donald Kurth.