ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A former homeless addict has won a national award for one of the best PhD studies in Canada.
Eric Weissman (WISE'-man) got the 2014 Distinguished Dissertation Award today in St. John's, N.L.
He received it from the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies for his 13-year project comparing government housing with tent cities and other alternatives.
The 53-year-old Weissman is the oldest winner of the award in its history.
For a decade during his 20s and 30s, Weissman struggled with alcohol and cocaine addictions along with periodic homelessness in Toronto.
He says more support is needed to go along with more affordable housing, especially for addicts and people with mental illness.
