SUPPORT GROUP PLANS TO SEEK NON-PROFIT STATUS

Edmond teen-agers' lives damaged by substance abuse is not simply a
parenting problem, juvenile justice or school problem, a concerned parent
said. Substance abuse is a community problem, said Pat Nichols, founder of
Edmond Parents Helping Parents.

The group consists of parents who share a mission of offering education and
support to other parents with children addicted to alcohol and drugs.

He believes now is the time for Edmond Parents Helping Parents to position
itself for further opportunities available as a non-profit organization.
Today, it is funded by members and the non-profit status will allow more
fund-raising to allow expansion of the program.

Other parents have encouraged Nichols to seek a non-profit 501(c)3
corporation status for the support group. The name of the group could
change to Parents Making a Difference with Parents Helping Parents as a
program of the non-profit. Those interested are invited to an
organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler
at 33 E. 33rd St. in Edmond.

He believes every parent should be given basic substance abuse statistics
and information every time they enroll a child in school.

"They need to know the warning signs and if they see these signs, who to
contact."

Last spring, the Oklahoma County Health Department administered the Youth
Risk Behavior Survey to all high school students in Edmond Public Schools.
The survey determined that 11 percent of students have used
methamphetamines compared to 9 percent of students nationwide. Eighteen
percent of youth reported they have driven a vehicle after drinking alcohol
while 13 percent of youth nationwide reported drinking and driving.

Nichols said he was surprised to learn from the survey that 37 percent of
students report they have ingested marijuana, even though it is 10 percent
less than students nationwide.

"It's unacceptable in my opinion, and we better start doing something
because it's only going to get worse," he said.

Nichols recently studied a statewide report sponsored by the Oklahoma
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services that determined
that 14 is the average age that Oklahoma teen-agers first become drunk.

Society is burdened with a $1 million cost per addict when weighing all
related expenses during an addict's life time, Nichols has learned.

"Alcohol and drugs are poison and change the child. The child will never be
the same again," Nichols said. "Even if he's not using, he's changed. And
you don't want that. The worst-case scenario is he ends up in prison or
institutionalized, or he's dead."

He believes the organization already has saved society millions of dollars
since it was founded last year. Education helps parents to move beyond
denial so they can better help their child, he added. Parents need to be
reached before their child develops the disease of addiction, he said.

"I've been so impressed with the school system, the police, the community,
the paper," he said. "Everyone cares."