STATE HELPS WITH DRUG REHAB IN TEENS' HOMES

A new program adopted and funded by the state allows parents to receive
free alcohol/drug treatment for their child in their home. This is a pilot
program sponsored and funded by the state Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services and offered through A Chance to Change Foundation.
Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy is a new approach to treating adolescents
with substance abuse, chemical dependency and related problems.

Teen substance abuse is not simple to address. There are many complicating
factors -- peers, family issues, school, environment, emotions -- along
with the hormonal changes in the adolescent's developing body.

Substance-abuse researchers have found that involving the family and other
significant people in the adolescent's treatment produces the best and
longest-lasting results.

People involved in the program along with the adolescent, family members
and trained therapists are others who may play a significant role in the
adolescent's life, such as parole officers, school personnel and friends.

These people form a team to educate and support, to link the family to
valuable community resources and to create a safe and trusting environment
that can facilitate change.

Because the family is included in the treatment and the adolescent's
psychosocial problems are addressed, family functioning improves, as do the
adolescent's grades in school.

To be eligible for the Multi- Dimensional Family Therapy program,
adolescents must be ages 13-17, chemically dependent, meet family income
requirements, reside in Oklahoma County, meet admission requirements for
residential treatment and be externally motivated.

This program allows for a maximum of 10 families per session. Because it is
new and evolving, some details have yet to be worked out. But if you know
an adolescent who would benefit from participating in this program, call
therapists Craig Margo at 250-9626 or Michelle Woll at 250-9672. An
appointment with either therapist will give you information. If you do not
meet the requirements, they can help you find other options.

Jackie Landler, director of Adolescent Services at A Chance to Change and
who is supervising this program, says, "A Chance to Change has always been
very family-oriented in our approach to treatment. We are excited about
being able to offer services to more families than ever before through this
new program."

A family is strongest when its members know they need help -- and ask for it.