Recovering addict and human trafficking survivor calls northern OPP officer her 'hero'
Three years ago, during a moment of suffering from post-traumatic stress, Dre crashed her car into some trees on Municipal Road between Timmins and Iroquois Falls.
The responding officer, Const. Graham MacGregor didn’t just ticket her. Upon learning more about her past, he connected her with services.
It made all the difference in the world.
"I’m a grateful, recovering addict and a trafficking survivor,” Dre said.
“The help I received was weeks away of being unattainable. If it wasn’t for an advocate, I would be another statistic.”
“When all other efforts in trying to help Dre didn’t seem to work at that point, officer MacGregor was her lifeline," said her father, Donald.
For all his support in the days, weeks and months after Dre's collision, she called MacGregor her hero and nominated him for an award.
"You made a difference, and now she’s making a difference," said Mark Baxter, president of the Police Association of Ontario.
“Her resiliency is something to be admired," said MacGregor.
Dre said she is sacrificing her anonymity and going public because she wants others not to feel ashamed to ask for help.
“My goal is that nobody feels alone in this journey,” she said.
“I want to give people hope. I want people to find their way of finding their way out and every recovery is different."
John Cerasuolo, president of Ontario Provincial Police Association, said it's important for people like Dre to speak up about the good things that happen during their encounters with police, to help change the negative narrative that often surrounds police.
It's why the Police Association of Ontario hosted the award ceremony at the South Porcupine Detachment. Congratulatory words also came in from the provincial government and the mayor of Timmins.
MacGregor said meeting Dre has also changed him.
"On a more regular basis, I find myself taking time to be kind to people outside of work, as well, not just because it’s part of my job but just because in society, I think we need to be a little bit kinder to each other,” he said.
MacGregor is the winner of the 2022 'On-Duty Difference Maker' Award, not to mention, the winner of Dre's and her family's everlasting gratitude.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.