DRUG ABUSE PRESENTS TREMENDOUS OBSTACLE TO DYFS WORKERS

BRIDGETON - A son's passionate words compelled a drug-abusing mother to
seek help for her 23-year addiction.

"My son said to me, 'You love drugs more than us,' " Glenda Adams recounted
Wednesday, her voice giving away her emotions.

Adams, now a recovering addict, was sharing her story with Division of
Youth and Family Services officials, who met to discuss substance abuse and
how it affects their jobs and their clients.

Wednesday's meeting also was an effort by the Cumberland County office of
DYFS to reach out to community groups that provide treatment and
rehabilitation services for alcohol and drug abuse.

Adams talked about the barriers she encountered when she tried to overcome
her addiction.

The biggest problem was finding a treatment center that would take her in.

DYFS officials said they are often frustrated when dealing with parents
such as Adams, because they do not have the necessary resources.

"We don't have the money for the treatment of the adults," said David
Mallory, district office manager. "We rely on the community."

Mallory said 80 percent of the cases that come to them are related to
substance abuse in the family.

"The problem in Cumberland County is very great, and it exceeds many other
counties in the state," he said. "We have the second largest caseload in
southern New jersey and 1,900 kids under our supervision."

Mallory said a lack of proper resources makes the task daunting for DYFS
caseworkers.

Most drug abusers live in denial, and when they are sent for drug
evaluation tests, the waiting lists are often long.

"By the time they take the tests, they come back negative because they know
how to get around the system," said Mary Perez, an intake supervisor.

Officials said those who end up agreeing to attend treatment programs often
end up on waiting lists, as well. Meanwhile, as they wait, their children
get placed on waiting lists for foster homes and often get separated from
their biological parents.

"We want to get the kids back with their parents quicker than we do now,"
Mallory said.

Representatives from more than a dozen organizations in the county, such as
Seabrook House, Parents Anonymous and Parent to Parent Coalition were
invited to the meeting Wednesday.

The different groups provided brochures and talked about the programs and
services they offer to recovering addicts.

"The bottom line of the meeting was to try and identify the resources that
will help us in connecting parents with these groups," Mallory said. "We
will be using more of these programs from now on."