PILOT PROGRAM AIDS PARENTS OF ADDICTS

A mother's tears prompted the Latrobe Police Department to launch a
pilot program to help some of the unseen victims of drug abuse -
parents of addicts.

"I recently met with a woman whose 25-year-old son was addicted to
heroin and almost died from an overdose," explained city police Chief
Charles Huska. "She was crying and told me that she had no one to talk
to who understands what she is going through."

"It got me thinking that maybe police departments could step up to
provide a forum for these parents," Huska added. "They have no one
else to go to."

The fruit of that tearful exchange was Parents Affected With Substance
Abused Children, or PAWSAC, which the department established to
provide a forum and professional counseling for parents trying to cope
with children dependent on controlled substances.

Huska said the goal of the voluntary, confidential program is "to
provide an environment in which the parents can interact with others
with similar problems and support each other."

Dr. Ted Dorfman - a Greensburg psychologist who provides psychological
testing services for the police department - "has volunteered to chair
and direct the group," Huska said. "He was the logical choice for this."

There is no cost to parents to participate and no limit on the age of
addicted children.

And it's not just for parents of heroin addicts, the police chief
said. "It's for problems with all drugs - including alcohol."

Organizing the program is a nontraditional role for a law-enforcement
agency, Huska admitted. "But in today's world, police are going to
need to adopt many nontraditional roles."

"Due to confidentiality issues, the department's role in the program
will be limited," he said. Parents who participate need not fear
prosecution of their children as a result.

"Our role is to provide a forum, a meeting place and a professional
counselor. Police officers will not even be present at the meetings
unless they are requested, and that involvement would be strictly
along the lines of education," Huska added. "We're not looking to make
busts out of this."

The program is backed by the Westmoreland County Chiefs of Police
Association, he said. "And should it be successful, I look for similar
groups to be established throughout the county. But success or failure
will depend upon participation."

Participants will meet in council chambers at Latrobe's city hall, at
the corner of Ligonier and Main streets.

The first meeting is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 30. Subsequent meetings will
be held at the same place and time on the last Thursday of each month.

The program is aimed primarily at residents of eastern Westmoreland
County, Huska said. "But anyone can attend. Anyone who would like to
share problems with children with substance abuse with others who are
in similar situations is welcome."

Fliers about the program will be distributed at city hall and at the
office of Unity Township District Justice Michael Mahady, along
Clearview Drive (Route 981), just south of the city.

Information also may be obtained by calling the city police department
at 724-537-5526, or the Westmoreland County Information Referral Help
Line at 800-222-8848.

"Giving out information is what we do," said Donna Allison, director
of the county help line. "But I'm particularly excited about this
program. I think it will be a great benefit.

"Parents in this situation often feel embarrassed or ashamed," she
said, comparing the program to a support group. "And because of that
fear of being exposed, they don't get the help they really need."

She said she sees the program as "an added help" to local, state and
national law-enforcement efforts to stem the tide of drug abuse.

"I think it's that one little piece that was missing."