Purpose
As its name implies, this committee’s primary purpose is to reach out to families affected by substance abuse by providing support, referrals and direction for assistance.
Why is it important?
Drug addiction is a chronic, progressive, fatal, yet treatable disease. Addiction affects the health of the abuser, the family and the entire community. It is a brain disease that develops as the result of using drugs. An abuser has an uncontrollable, compulsive craving for drugs and to seek drugs, even in the face of negative health and social consequences. Drug abuse can plunge its victims into lives of poverty, homelessness, crime and imprisonment. It stunts emotional and spiritual growth and ravages mental and physical health. Whether we want to admit it or not ... NO ONE IS IMMUNE. Virtually every family has or knows of someone who is caught in the vicious cycle of a substance abuse dependency. Change will not happen without our willingness to step in and provide support -- not only to receive treatment, but to avoid relapses.
Who should be involved?
Prevention efforts must reach across and involve multiple and diverse segments of the community. Parents should be recruited from every sector: education, law enforcement, mental health, the faith community, grassroots neighborhood organizations, government and businesses. Don’t forget to tap organizations for retired citizens. Utilize recovering addicts who know first-hand what is needed. The most successful prevention strategies involve developing a consistent community-wide message.
What are the goals?
Goals of the Family Support Committee include:
Provide assistance to those seeking drug treatment.
Provide support to and enhance community drug abuse prevention efforts.
Identify those factors which encourage young people to abuse substances and work to change them.
Help individuals and families develop high self-esteem and become self-reliant.
Identify the warning and critical signs of a crisis and intervene before the crisis becomes critical, life-threatening or intolerable.
Inform the community of the economic and social costs of substance abuse.
Provide assistance or referrals to family members of addicts for all un-met needs or hardships.
Activities to accomplish your goals
Family Support Committee members can:
Develop support group meetings for family members.
Distribute drug testing kits.
Publicize the meeting times, locations and contact numbers for existing support groups in their area.
Host a “Celebrate Recovery” cookout and invite local people who have overcome their own addictions or who have had family members successfully make it through treatment.
Get to know the support group leaders and keep them informed. Groups with 12-step programs include Lifeline, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Alateen, Narcotics Anonymous, ToughLove International and Families Anonymous.
Assist recovering addicts as they pursue educational or employment by helping them write resumes, apply for jobs and by giving them moral support and encouragement.
Create pamphlets detailing treatment options and after-care programs in your area.
Provide transportation for family members to doctor’s appointments or other locations.
Provide resource materials through schools and civic organizations.
Provide financial support or referrals to social service agencies.
