SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

Taber Community Against Drugs is not only focused on creating
initiatives to decrease the use and trafficking of illegal drugs in town.

Members also want to help people who are already battling through a
drug addition, as well as their various family members.

The local group is looking into the possibility of establishing a
support group for family members of people who are struggling with a
drug problem.

"It is important we don't try to work with solely the individual user
or abuser in isolation of the family because many times the family is
impacted by the individual's behavior," said Garry Chrisch, a family
counsellor at Family and Community Support Services.

He said having family members sit in on counselling sessions he has
with someone struggling with a drug addiction can be beneficial.

It can be beneficial because it sometimes helps provide support the
individual needs to make changes and assists in revealing underlying
issues that may have resulted in the person's drug use.

Chrisch said family members need a circle of people they can share
their experiences with and relate to. He said they would benefit from
speaking with those who are in the same situation as they are in
because it is tough to watch a family member's physical health,
emotional health and ability to do their job and/or their capability
to maintain their relationships deteriorate.

He said in some cases, the healing of the individual who is addicted
to drugs and/or alcohol is partly dependent on how those around them
are coping with the situation. He said ADDAC has programs for family
members to participate in while the client, who is using drugs or
alcohol, works on following the 12-step program to recover from their
addiction.

Burton said some people would find attending a support group less
intimidating and more comfortable than going to a one-on-one
counselling session.

TCAD has not specified if the support group was to be formed, what
age groups it would be for, but members recognize people of all ages
can be effected by a loved one's addiction.

"(When a parent is the one addicted) often times they aren't able to
focus on being a parent. These children often end up in situations
where they are parenting themselves," said Brenda Burton, team leader
with South West Alberta Child and Family Services, who has worked with TCAD.

She added sometimes, when the kids are young enough, they have to be
put in the care of someone else better capable of meeting their needs
for the time being.

Burton said when parents are dealing with their son or daughter
having a drug problem, it is common for them to feel helpless and
blame themselves.

Insp. Graham Abela, who co-chairs TCAD, said seeing parents blame
themselves for their child's addiction is one of the hardest impacts
from drug use he has witnessed as a police officer.

"I have also seen the sense of accomplishment and relief when parents
help their loved ones overcome addictions," he said.