A PREACHER who recovered from a life of alcoholism and drug addiction is coming to Drumchapel to help the “broken and lost”.

John Edwards is spending three days in Drumchapel — bringing his giant model syringe with him — as he looks to extend a helping hand to addicts and their loved ones.

The syringe, 33 ft in length and six foot in diameter, doubles up as a consulting room where he can meet addicts and their family, and has a bedroom that he stays in during his tours.

Mr Edwards descended into a life dependent on booze and drugs as a young man — but 25 years on he has recovered and found religion, and is on a mission to help other addicts.

His addictions brought him face-to-face with death — the 60-year-old has had a liver transplant, fought cancer twice and successfully completed hepatitis C treatment. He told the Post: “I have been clean and sober for over 24 years now. I am a Christian and it is thanks to God that I am free.

“However, that being said, there are some simple but absolutely foundational and fundamental principles that need to be understood and in place before someone can walk away from the cravings and controls that accompany every ‘life controlling problem’.

“Without these principles these struggling folk will continue to stumble in life. Rarely will someone fail if they can learn to rigorously follow these principles and practice them in all their affairs.” Mr Edwards lives in Yorkshire, is happily married, and his ‘Walking Free’ team are from the Bradford area.

On a Christian mission to help others, he penned a book, also titled ‘Walking Free’. He wants to help people with addictions, eating disorders, those who have suicidal thoughts, who are self harming and depressed. John said: “Tragically many are dying, even more live isolated, misunderstood and often depressed and addicted to whatever their issue or substance is.” He told how there are on average four people — children, partner or parents — around a life-controlling issue who are also badly suffering as a result.

He added: “I am desperate to use whatever means I can to get the message of freedom out to those who need it.” He will be arriving at Drumchapel Baptist Church, Lillyburn Place, on Thursday, November 12 for an arrival photoshoot. The next day, Friday 13, he will be at Drumchapel High School until 10.30am then by noon will arrive at the baptist church’s Time-Out Club and finally to Drumchapel Shopping Centre from 3pm to 5.30pm.

Between 10am and 1pm, on Saturday, November 14, Mr Edwards will attend the men’s breakfast at the baptist church. Afterwards, he will be around the Drumchapel area between 3pm and 5.30pm. On November 15, he will take the service at the church.