a vancouver born ex hollywood actor now living on the city downtown eastside is hoping that he is one step closer to overcoming his addiction.
And Bernie Coulson, who once shared the screen with the Oscar winner, says he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support he has received since appearing on the Global News Broadcast last month.
Now in his 50s, Coulson once shared an apartment with Brad Pitt, and starred opposite Jodie Foster in the 1988 blockbuster accused,
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He has fought an uphill battle with drugs in the years since, including 17 attempts at treatment.
When Global News last spoke with Coulson in October, he was days away from another attempt — but gave up his spot at the last minute for someone else who desperately needed it.
Now, he’s scheduled January 14 for detox, and was insistent that this time will be different.
“This is the first time that I am going for myself. I was told that… you have to do this, you have to do that. Nobody is forcing me to go. They say if you If you go, you are going for the right reasons.
“I just want to say that I’m going to try my best. I think it’s going to work out this time. I have a good feeling about it. Usually when I’m feeling down, it’s good.” Things happen. It won’t be easy.”
When Global News first met Coulson, he was taking medically prescribed narcotics and living in social housing at DTES. He attributes his newfound inspiration to trying to detox from an overdose that nearly killed him.
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He said it is sad to see people living with addiction who want a better life and waiting months to get treatment.
“Sometimes people go as far as to look at the statistics of people falling. People are dying every day, people are dying on the waiting list,” he said.
Coulson said he currently has a part-time job as a Chinatown steward, helping to keep the neighborhood clean and off the street.
But he said he dreams of getting back into the film and television business if he can stabilize his life and deal with some health problems.
After the global coverage aired in December, many old friends and family reached out to send love and support.
He said that he wants every single person to know that he is alive and he is going to do that this time.
“I know there are a lot of people who are wondering what I’m doing,” he said.
“I just stayed away from people because I felt a little guilty. I didn’t want to influence anyone the wrong way.”
And he had one final message for his 19-year-old daughter, Kaylee: Don’t give up on dad.
“I want to say I love you, and I hope you see that after going through stuff and coming out shining,” he said.
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