PARENTS WITH ADDICTED CHILDREN ARE GIVEN RUN-AROUND BY THE SYSTEM THAT'S
SUPPOSED TO HELP

Does anyone know of a residential treatment centre for adolescents
abusing drugs and/or alcohol that will accept a patient from out of
province?

I'm talking under the age of 16. I realize my question is rather
abrupt, and may sound cynical, but believe it or not, I have spent the
last 18 months banging my head against the wall trying to find if
these facilities exist.

How very sad it is that our political leaders have their heads stuffed
so far up their "armpits" that this problem is not even an issue for
them. With all due respect, and God Bless them, a group known as PEP
(Parents Empowering Parents) is trying to pass a bill where parents
could force their children into rehab whether the child likes it or
not. For one thing, the bill could sit there for years before it gets
looked at and possibly passed, and should that happen, where are you
going to take these kids? You need facilities of this nature to exist
before exerting your energy into such a noble challenge.

Yes, there are facilities for adults, but nothing for youths. Every
facility I call, hoping that this may be the place I'm looking for, is
usually quite sympathetic to my problem, and then they politely ask if
I have contacted AADAC. To which (I could just scream and cry out of
frustration) I answer yes, this is how I got your number.

We've seen psychiatrists, psychologists, general practitioners,
counsellors, you name it. Once again, nothing.

I had a child who was once a shining star, full of ambition, an
excellent athlete, and did very well in school. He was friendly,
charming and an overall good kid. That child is gone and I grieve for
him every day. Now, I have a child that has fallen, lost all ambition,
couldn't care less about anything and is failing in school miserably.
He's full of rage, hates me, but underneath it all, I still know he's
a good kid! I love him more than life itself and that is why I'm still
fighting for him.

The answer to your questions. Yes, he was brought up in a responsible,
loving two-parent home, no smoking, drugs, alcohol or abuse ever
played a role in his life. No day cares in his infant years and he has
never been involved with the law -- yet! My heart is broken and my
grieving is worse than if he were actually dead because, every day I
wake up, look at his empty bedroom knowing full well that he's still
out there, slowly wasting away.

Name withheld by request

St. Albert