The plight of a local drug addict featured in The Observer has caught the attention of the provincial government, which is pledging more money for treatment services.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Caroline Di Cocco said Friday a two-part series titled To Hell and Back has struck a chord with her government. The feature, which detailed the struggles of Jeff Christie trying to break an addiction to crystal methamphetamine was a wake-up call, she said.

"We need to do more. It is an issue being discussed within the government. ( Health Minister George Smitherman ) understands the file. There will be more emphasis and money to add to the services." Last year, the province added $7 million to its $113-million addictions budget but the level of service remains inadequate, she said.

The absence of a local detox centre is particularly troubling, she added.

"You can expect more assistance, more investment in services dealing with addiction. It's of concern to me that we don't have a full complement of services locally."

Front-line providers are fighting to meet demand, with wait lists topping two months in some cases. After a 12-year freeze, the province increased addiction services funding three per cent in 2004 and 1.5 per cent in 2007.

Jeff Christie, the subject of the special feature, recently completed a 21-day residential drug treatment program near Whitby, Ont. and has been clean for six weeks. But it's a challenge accessing local services, and without the support of a 12-step program he wouldn't have lasted this long, said the 32-year-old, married father-of-three.

"It's hard to make any progress in terms of recovery when there's not a lot of help out there," he said.

He has a probation order requiring him to complete anger management counselling. But because of a recent United Way funding cut, the John Howard Society has placed its anger management program on hold. A decision on the future of the program is weeks away.

Christie, who is living on social assistance, said he's also been refused marriage counselling unless he can pay the $800 fee himself. And finding a job when you're labelled a druggie is proving difficult, Christie said.

His wife, Heather, who has welcomed her husband back into the family home, said it's no wonder addicts have a hard time getting straight. "It's frustrating," she said. "Here we are, trying as a family, to work together and resolve our problems but it seems like doors are being slammed in our face.