NCJ Number
175520
Date Published
1996
Length
158 pages
Annotation
Real-life accounts of juvenile drug abusers who needed help and of their parents' role in helping them receive it feature the use of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) to help youth quit the drug habit.
Abstract
The PDAP is a privately financed 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. The first step is for the drug user to recognize and admit that drugs have caused at least part of his/her life to become unmanageable. The second step involves the recognition of the importance of associating with youth and adults who are role models for drug-free, responsible behavior. The third step recognizes the importance of a "Higher Power," expressed through love for one another, in helping restore constructive order to life; and the fourth step entails turning "our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understand Him." Other steps are a moral inventory, a confession to God and others of wrongs done, dependence on God and a loving group to begin changing, a listing of all persons harmed and the development of a willingness to make amends to each of them, and the making of direct amends to these people. Remaining steps in the course of positive change are continued self-examination, the use of prayer and meditation to maintain contact with a "Higher Power," and the expression of love and understanding to others. Advice to parents includes looking for preventive resources before a child uses drugs, especially if someone else in the family abuses drugs; getting the child into a PDAP group or other treatment immediately upon discovering his/her drug use; getting involved in a parent group; and being willing to pay for long-term residential treatment if necessary.