DRUG ABUSE FELLOWSHIP FOR FAMILIES

A Red Deer area grandmother has long felt the heartache of drug abuse.

For two decades, Gail McEwen has tried to help a loved one addicted to drugs.

The 65-year-old has endured many sleepless nights, not knowing where
her family member was - or if the person was alive.

"I wasn't sure if they were going to some of the places where the
drugs are sold," said the grandmother of six. "I wasn't sure if I
would see them for a month or two.

"It becomes a dreadful disease because it affects the whole family."

McEwen experienced times of frustration, anxiety, and denial, because
she couldn't believe her loved one would take such a troubled path.
She turned first to her doctor for advice.

"But I didn't go to any support groups because there weren't any
here," she said.

Support groups for drug abuse have since started in Red Deer.

Renew Hope, a group devoted to helping parents of children struggling
with addictions, began in October 2004. And Parents Empowering
Parents (PEP), which involves family and friends, held its first
meeting last fall.

McEwen is now starting a Red Deer chapter of Co-Anon - a fellowship
of parents, husbands, wives, relatives or close friends of someone
who is chemically dependent.

"I believe I can make a difference in some of the families that have
this going on," McEwen said.

The first meeting will get underway at 61 Noble Ave. at 7:30 p.m. on
Wednesday. It will run until 9 p.m.

The doors are open to family and friends of those addicted to
cocaine, crack or crystal meth.

McEwen said her group is different from the others in that it will
focus on the Twelve Steps program used by Alcoholics Anonymous.

The first step recognizes that participants are powerless over their
loved one's addiction.

McEwen readily identifies with this.

"People who are addicted to drugs really have to want to get out of
the situation themselves," she said.

The participants will share their experiences, hopes and strengths in
dealing with someone who is on drugs. They'll talk about how the
disease of drug addiction has affected their own thinking and behaviour.

They also know their conversations are kept confidential.

Speakers will also be invited to present a topic.

McEwen said the outreach is especially needed when drug use is rising here.

"Any kind of support group gets a check mark from me," said Kath
Hoffman, residential director for the Safe Harbour Society.

Last week, the society opened a temporary detox centre downtown. A
permanent location will open this fall.

Hoffman said families of addicts often don't have the support that
they need to handle such a tough situation.

"Generally, they have friends telling them that they should write
this person off," she said.

Cocaine Anonymous supports addicts and meetings are held three times
a week at the Potter's Hands Ministries building at 4935 51st St.