CHURCH LAUNCHES HOT LINE FOR DRUG ADDICTS' FAMILIES

Chang Shu-Yuan, Dean Of Operation Dawn's Counseling Department

The local Christian church Operation Dawn, together with Friends of Hsing
Lin Tzu (FHLT), yesterday launched a support group and hotline for drug
addicts' families in the hope of helping families and addicts recover from
the damage done by drugs.

Parents seeking help for their drug-addicted children can call the hot line
on 02-223-1774.

"The hot line and counseling services offered by Operation Dawn is mainly
faith-based. The counselors are professionally trained in theology, and
they have basic training in psychology, too," said the dean of the church's
counseling department, Chang Shu-yuan ( i'Q'D).

Chang said that the church had been involved in helping addicts quit drugs
- -- by "using gospel rehabilitation" -- for 20 years. During the counseling
sessions they would help the addicts and their families understand the
profound damage that can be caused by drugs.

They would also help addicts establish the correct beliefs about life, and
they reach this goal by "curing the whole person."

"We have five rehabilitation centers that offer free rehab services to
addicts. They will be led by others who have gone down the same road,
because those people are the ones who understand them the best," Chang said.

While Operation Dawn is responsible for the counseling service, the
parent-supporting group, Parents-Supporting-Parents, is mainly organized by
FHLT.

"We hope to organize groups for drug addicts' families to share their
experiences and help each other. We would also encourage addicts to record
the stories of their lives as a way of reflecting on themselves, and to
serve as a warning to others," said Lin Mao ( L-Z), dean of the FHLT
preparatory office.

Tang Li-hsing (-o O|e) offered to share his experiences as a parent of a
drug addict, and told the story about how his son was cured through the
love of God.

"My eldest son's rebellion and drug addiction ruined his future and a happy
family, but thanks to the grace of God he got in touch with the gospel, and
the family has been given a chance to start all over," Tang said.