GROUPS HELP PARENTS OF DRUG USERS

Support Sessions Aid Families With Overcoming Effects Of Addictions

CHESAPEAKE, Ohio -- It's been a tough year for Ernie and Debby Howard.

Their drug-addicted daughter broke into their Scioto County home and stole a
number of things to buy drugs. They also had to kick out their son from their
home because of his drug habit.

Luckily, the Howards have found a support network. A free, hour-long counseling
session for the loved ones of those addicted to alcohol or drugs in Portsmouth
has helped them endure the past year.

A similar weekly support group now is being set up in the Chesapeake area for
Lawrence County. The group will meet at 6 p.m. Mondays at St. Anne's Catholic
Church in Chesapeake, said Alan Siebel, program coordinator at the Counseling
Center at 608 Park Ave., Ironton.

"It's an educational and support group," Siebel said. The support group is
free, and no enrollment is required, he said.

"We are a nonprofit organization, and this is part of our mission." The
Counseling Center has locations in Ironton, Portsmouth and West Union, he said.

The support group helped Debby Howard realize she's not responsible for her
children's drug addictions.

"I always thought their drug problems were my fault," she said Friday. She was
a stay-at-home mom until her son and daughters were teen-agers.

"This is a disease," she said. "It's their decision to do this. They'll do
about anything to get money for drugs."

Debby Howard said when she and her husband went on a vacation, their daughter
broke in and stole her jewelry and other things to sell for drugs.

What made her the most angry, though, was that her daughter took a travel
television and some movies they had bought for their grandson.

Ernie Howard said they haven't seen their daughter for more than two months.
Their 27-year-old daughter left her home, her husband and her 4-year-old son,
he said.

They have spent a lot more time with their grandson in the past several months.
He stays with them on the weekends, and they have him three hours a day during
the week, he said.

"He was missing his mom real bad at first," Howard said. "He wanted to stay
with us. He's a lot better now. I enjoy being with him. His dad is talking
about getting a job out of town and if that happens, we'll have the boy stay
with us during the week."

Debby and Ernie Howard's daughter wants to see her son, but the Howards are
resisting. "Until she gets stable, she doesn't need to see him," he said.

Ernie Howard said the support groups have helped them get through the last
year. "You're there with people who have been through this, too."

His 25-year-old son got addicted to painkillers, Ernie Howard said. "His
addiction got so bad, he couldn't function," he said. "It got so bad, we made
him leave. It's been tough."

Siebel said the support group shows people like the Howards they aren't alone.

"They can overcome this," Siebel said. "We teach them that this isn't their
fault and how they can help themselves. I've had a lot of parents come to
support groups like this."

Anyone seeking more information about the Counseling Center or the support
group can call (740) 533-3140.