Pubdate: Fri, 08 Aug 2003
Source: Taipei Times, The (Taiwan)
Copyright: 2003 The Taipei Times
Contact:  http://www.taipeitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1553
Author: Debby Wu

CHURCH LAUNCHES HOT LINE FOR DRUG ADDICTS' FAMILIES

Chang Shu-Yuan, Dean Of Operation Dawn's Counseling Department

The local Christian church Operation Dawn, together with Friends of Hsing 
Lin Tzu (FHLT), yesterday launched a support group and hotline for drug 
addicts' families in the hope of helping families and addicts recover from 
the damage done by drugs.

Parents seeking help for their drug-addicted children can call the hot line 
on 02-223-1774.

"The hot line and counseling services offered by Operation Dawn is mainly 
faith-based. The counselors are professionally trained in theology, and 
they have basic training in psychology, too," said the dean of the church's 
counseling department, Chang Shu-yuan ( i'Q'D).

Chang said that the church had been involved in helping addicts quit drugs 
- -- by "using gospel rehabilitation" -- for 20 years. During the counseling 
sessions they would help the addicts and their families understand the 
profound damage that can be caused by drugs.

They would also help addicts establish the correct beliefs about life, and 
they reach this goal by "curing the whole person."

"We have five rehabilitation centers that offer free rehab services to 
addicts. They will be led by others who have gone down the same road, 
because those people are the ones who understand them the best," Chang said.

While Operation Dawn is responsible for the counseling service, the 
parent-supporting group, Parents-Supporting-Parents, is mainly organized by 
FHLT.

"We hope to organize groups for drug addicts' families to share their 
experiences and help each other. We would also encourage addicts to record 
the stories of their lives as a way of reflecting on themselves, and to 
serve as a warning to others," said Lin Mao ( L-Z), dean of the FHLT 
preparatory office.

Tang Li-hsing (-o O|e) offered to share his experiences as a parent of a 
drug addict, and told the story about how his son was cured through the 
love of God.

"My eldest son's rebellion and drug addiction ruined his future and a happy 
family, but thanks to the grace of God he got in touch with the gospel, and 
the family has been given a chance to start all over," Tang said.
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