A BALLINGRY man has published his second book aimed at showing that life exists beyond addiction.

Paul Boggie's  latest offering, 'Final Mission Heroin to Hero', follows on from his first publication which has raised over £17,000 for homelessness in Scotland.

He said the latest book is a continuation of the first which he hopes can further inspire people.

As reported previously by the Times, Paul published his debut book, 'Heroin to Hero' in 2020 which tells the story of how he grew up in Edinburgh's Craigentinny where he lost his way and ended up on Portobello beach taking heroin and a mixture of other drugs.

READ MORE: Ballingry man hoping to inspire prisoners to turn life around

He managed to ditch drugs and joined the Scots Guards, which saw him involved in royal occasions in London before he was medically discharged from service after a car crash.

Paul explained: "When I wrote the first book, I was in a position where, in 2015, I was medically discharged from the army because I broke my back.

"The army doctor put me on Opium meds and I became addicted so I was really struggling with my mental health and the fact I was a drug addict. It didn't matter it was coming from the doctors, it didn't feel right.

"I am approaching four years drug free now and I wanted to let the world know. At the end of my first book, I said about it being a dream to become drug free. I wanted to write another book to say I have stopped them drugs and there is life after addiction.

"There can be an amazing life for people afterwards who put the hard work in. The purpose of the second book was to let people know that it doesn't always have to be the end. That was how I felt about life when I was back on drugs."

Since publishing his first book, Paul has spent time visiting several prisons, schools and community organisations to tell his story and spread his inspiring message.

His first book was made into an audio book with prisoners from Perth Prison providing the narration.

"The inmates read the book out," added Paul. "It has never been done before and the Scottish Prison Service were amazing. It is not polished or perfect but none of us are. My book is not perfect and polished just like me."

Paul regularly visits schools around the country and has also done talks to players - and their parents - at Rosyth FC.

He continued: "They contacted me on social media and said I see you are doing visits to schools and prisons, how would you feel about visiting the football club.

"It was great because the football coaches were there and so were the kids and all the parents. It was great to get feedback from the parents especially.

"A lot of people are apprehensive when you mention the word heroin. They don't want their kids to be round that word but once they heard my talk and heard what I wanted to say, they were great with it."

Paul, who celebrated his 19th year off heroin in May, is now thinking about a third book which he hopes will provide more support for those affected by addiction.

"I had planned to do a third book by the summer but felt I needed a break," he added. "I put so much into the books. It can become very draining. Especially when going back over my life, things I am not proud of.

"My new book I am going to write I think will be a self help book which is less about Paul Boggie as a heroin addict in Edinburgh. It will be more about the addiction and overcoming addiction, especially drug addiction. It will be for people struggling because there are so many."