By Barry Porterfield
Efforts are now underway to form a Pauls Valley chapter of an organization meant for parents looking to help their children as they struggle with addictions.
The first meeting of the local Parents Helping Parents group is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start Monday, May 4 at the Comfort Inn located at 103 S. Humphrey.
Involved in the effort is local resident Lisa Castillo, who said a speaker is expected to talk about the signs of addiction, while also looking to get a feel of what parents want.
“There are so many parents here who simply don’t know what resources are available,” Castillo said.
“They just don’t know what to do. I want parents to know there is help out there.”
The way to get more information out there about Parents Helping Parents, Inc. is next week’s in-person confidential meeting with plans for more in the future on a monthly basis.
Helping with that cause is the meeting room is being provided at no cost, she said.
Another way to get more information about children’s addictions to alcohol or drugs are online meetings right from your computer. More information about that service is available at www.ParentsHelpingParents.info.
There will also be a forum allowing people to remain anonymous as they can again go online to seek out answers to their questions.
Castillo’s involvement in the effort actually began in January when she saw the statewide television program “Crystal Darkness,” which focused on better educating teenagers and adults about the dangers of methamphetamine and negative impact it can have on families and communities as a whole.
The show came when she was looking for resources that could help with her son’s addiction.
She learned about the Norman chapter of the parent program after she spoke with a Maysville woman interviewed on the show.
That chapter was the second established in Oklahoma with the first coming in Edmond.
“This is about all the parents who need help and some answers,” Castillo said.
“All the resources they have are legit,” she said about the Parents Helping Parents group. “It’s a great collaboration on resources that parents can do.”
She added the service is not really just for parents as anyone wanting information about an addiction is invited to get involved.
For more information about the local effort contact Castillo at 405-238-0539.
