Two book signings planned for Langley

Mark Tucker of Clinton has his story laid bare in his first published book, “Drive or Die: A True Story of Addiction, Murder and Hope.”

The 41-year-old South Whidbey native tells the story of his heroin addiction and the depths to which it plunged him. Perhaps one of the worst experiences was being held at gunpoint by James Moran, at one time America’s eighth-most-wanted person — he later committed a double murder and suicide.

Tucker was convicted of rendering criminal assistance and sentenced to five years in prison and still owes money on a $130,000 fine, according to a recent news release.

Clean since December 2012, Tucker visits people struggling with addiction as a public speaker and works as a personal trainer and owns Whidbey South Woodworks, a construction company.

“With this book I’m trying to reach addicts as well as families damaged by addiction,” Tucker said, in the release. “I want to create awareness in parents and hope in addicts, and to give some tools that addicts can use to find recovery and parents can use to help understand addiction better.”

Tucker will discuss the book and sign copies at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 17 at South Whidbey Commons, 124 Second St., Langley; and at 10 a.m. Sept. 12 at the Langley Library, 104 Second St.