For 25 years, Patrick Durkin — better known as Boston Bornagain and Boston 2 percent — struggled with a methamphetamine addiction that took him in and out of holding cells and homelessness.
After his recovery, Durkin was able to vividly capture the spiraling downturn addiction took him on in his book, “Fire and Ice: The Meth Bible,” in which he warns the younger generation through the depiction of his life’s struggles.
“I went from being a meth addicted cab driver to a productive member of society,” Durking told The News Courier. “I am proof that we can recover, and we can change. But, we need the right opportunities and the right environment to do so.”
The book, which Durkin noted has been sold in nine countries, was not the highlight of his new life as a recovering addict. Neither was his six-figure corporate job in Seattle, Washington, which he walked away from to come to Athens.
According to Durkin, the highlight of his new life has been his blossoming relationship with God and how he has been used as an instrument to travel the country and educate the youth about drugs and addiction.
“The mission was very clear that God gave me,” Durkin said. “It is to unify the body of Christ here in Athens. To unify the charitable community and the drug addiction recovery community so we can make Limestone County a safer and better place to live.”
Durkin first came to Athens for Lori Masonia’s “Ride With Me” street ministry’s sixth annual Addiction Eviction Rally in June. He said that since that first visit, the thought of moving to the area has weighed heavily on him until he could not bear to be away from the small southern town.
“I truly believe that if you are going to battle an evil such as fentanyl and crystal meth, then only God can help you do that,” Durkin said. “I gave up everything for this mission from God, because we need to provide the opportunities and the environment, which I was fortunate enough to get, to this community.”
Durkin, who arrived in Athens last week, has already worked with Masonia to host their first joint event — Boys to Men Youth Ministry — on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Lincoln Bridgeforth Park. Their goal for the event is to bridge the gap between younger teens, ages 13 through 16, and young adults through faith.
“I believe the greatest defense against drugs is a good offense targeted at our children never touching them,” Durkin said. “I came here to do this full-time. We are a nonprofit organization who only wants to combat the ongoing war with drugs that is coming to Limestone County. I’m proud to be a member of this community now, so I’m going to do whatever I can to protect the lives of our kids.”
Durkin said his hopes are to form a coalition with the different churches within the city and county and to network with people in the community who are struggling with addiction. He and Masonia emphasized their plans for a multi-layered recovery center in Limestone County.
“There’s no doubt that the drugs are already here,” Durkin said. “We have a vision on how to put in place a faith-based recovery program with transitional living houses. People need that safe and structured environment to recover, and with the help of this community we can do that here.”