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Show All About People " He ptdm cnatarf high ; ; i & . v ; I a By GARY R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor Darol Wagstaff at age 31 is still holder of a world freestyle free-style ski jumping record -- but he's not entirely pleased with his performance. YOU SEE, Darol was on drugs during the era in which the record was set. He insists he was free of drugs during the actual competition, but he was heavy into drugs before and after setting the world record of 164 feet for a single front somersault. "The record was set at Alta," he said, "and being active with professional skiers I -- along with most of them --were --were heavy into drugs during practices and while celebrating celebrat-ing our victories. But I never used drugs or alcohol during competition." DAROL HAS been free of drugs and alcohol for 10 years now, but he never lets up on preaching to others the bad influences it can have on a person's life. He's even written a book, "The Natural High," a fresh approach to achieving lasting happiness. But in the book, Darol tells about his personal experiences -- including the depths of hell he went through while heavy on marijuana, hash, cocaine, LSD, morphine, opium, and even use of organic mushrooms to obtain a high. "THE ONLY thing (drug) I didn't use was heroin," he says. "And I guess that was because when I was younger there was a lot of TV exposure telling of the dangers of using heroin. Also, I hated the thought of sticking myself with a needle. I never did mainline any drug." Darol said he started skiing at age 13 and four years later turned professional. During about five years of professional profession-al skiing he won the "Most Spectacular Event" at Solitude and appeared in three World Championships - in 1973, .74 and 75. At one time he was ranked as high as 13th among world professional skiers. HE STILL does apparel modeling and promotional work for ski apparel and equipment companies. Darol said he began smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol at age 15 and began using drugs the following year. DAROL WAGSTAFF U, He became a chemical dependent at age 18 and said he W stopped drinking alcohol and using drugs just before turning turn-ing 21. HE CONFESSES to be one of the "lucky ones" who was K able to stop drinking and using drugs without professional I ' help. "But I don't advise it," he emphasized. Darol said he took on a completely "new outlook on life" when attempting to stop drinking and using drugs. "I realized I needed a purpose in life and didn't want to look like others I associated with who were on drugs," he said. "AFTER QUESTIONING my purpose in life, I turned to N God and prayed that I could maintain a level of worthin-ess. worthin-ess. During my past 10 years I have devoted my life to helping others and being closer to my Savior." tf He said "God gave me the desire to change my life and my close friends, some of them former addicts, helped me to make that change. But I couldn't have done it alone." HE CITED four ingredients for having successful treat- . I ment as follows: lul (1) Having an inner purpose for changing your life for good; (2) having a strong family relationship; (3) getting direct, positive peer support and acceptance from your t friends and relatives; and (4) having a definite commitment m( (or cause to becoming a non-user, and following through with that commitment. TREATMENT and subsequent rehabilitation must also K include having a close relationship with God; and being 1 close to your family, friends and church, Darol emphasized. empha-sized. He started his own business with his father in 1979 and fit since then Darol has spoken to nearly a half million youth U' and young adults in more than 200 speaking engagements. (Darol will be featured speaker at a Drug and Alcohol seminar Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Viewmont High School. Pub- . I lie is invited.) ml AFTER BEING rehabilitated from drugs and alcohol, ' Darol served an LDS mission to Texas where he held leadership positions. Married with two daughters, he is a counselor in the Branch Presidency of the Alma Branch ' l t (Salt Lake County Detention Center). ; ) X X v X X X-5- 1 " v ,.,v Darol Wagstaff during competition. |