PARENTS OF YOUNG ADDICTS CAN GET HELP WITH PEP

Gordon Daniher's nightmare began seven years ago when his daughter,
now 18, became addicted to marijuana and crystal meth.

He and his wife, Karin, who live in Mill Woods, weren't sure where to
turn for help.

"There is very little out there to provide support," says Gordon.

"We felt very much we were alone. The isolation is quite dramatic."

Eighteen months ago, they found help and hope after joining Parents
Empowering Parents (PEP), a Sherwood Park organization formed in 2004
to provide support and direction to families dealing with the effects
of substance abuse.

The organization will expand into Mill Woods next month, when the
society opens its first chapter in Edmonton.

Unfortunately, there's a demand for the service in Edmonton, and PEP
felt Mill Woods, with its large population base, was a good place to
expand.

"There are other parts of the city that would certainly benefit from
this as well," says Gordon.

"The problem is prevalent and, word of warning, it's getting worse,
in our estimation."

At least a dozen Mill Woods parents have sought PEP's help, he says.

The addicts are not only teens, but adult children in their 20s and 30s.

In Sherwood Park, the average attendance at meetings is between 40 to
70 family members. There are often workshops and speakers, and
information provided about community resources.

The organization was formed by a family support worker, a probation
officer and the mother of a crystal meth addict.

Besides offering help to families, PEP has lobbied for improved
treatment services for young addicts.

The group's lobbying efforts convinced the provincial government to
pass the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act in 2005, which
gives parents the power to force drug-addicted children into detox.

Gordon knows many families feel shame and may find a child's drug
habit difficult to talk about, but he says going to meetings helped
him realize he's not alone.

"(For) parents in crisis, it provides a different perspective," he
says. "For us, it's been quite beneficial."

An introductory meeting in Mill Woods will be held Nov. 16, from 7
p.m. to 9 p.m. at the South Division police station, 104 Youville Drive.

PEP's expansion into Mill Woods is in partnership with the Edmonton
Police Service.

Const. Maurice Brodeur, a community programs officer for South
Division, says he's excited to see the program expand into the city.

"I think it's a great thing and it's going to do nothing but help the
community and also help the police, too. Anything we can do to attack
the problem from another angle," says Brodeur.

Often, police on the front lines meet parents who don't know where to
turn when their kids have drug problems, he says.

It can be frustrating for officers who want to help, but don't have
the resources to do so, says Brodeur.

Now, they can refer parents to PEP.

"(PEP is) another tool in the belt for the police officer," says
Brodeur.

He says youth drug use is a growing epidemic across the city.

He recently spoke to a group of young teens, many who have tried
drugs or know friends who have.

"It is rampant and the youth are seeing this everywhere," says Brodeur.

PEP meetings will be held every second Thursday at Mill Woods
community halls.

For more information, visit www.pepsociety.ca or call Maralyn at
417-9760, ext. 228.