Pubdate: Wed, 04 May 2005
Source: Dothan Eagle, The (AL)
Copyright: 2005 The Dothan Eagle
Contact:  http://www.dothaneagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3077
Author: Mark Randall

GROUP IS FORMING FIRST EVER SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH EFFECTS
OF METH USE

Shelly Linderman was sitting in court when a man sat down next to her.

The man's daughter was facing drug charges for using methamphetamine.

Linderman, director of the local chapter of Victims of Crime and Leniency
and the Wiregrass Angel House, is used to dealing with victims of crime, but
as the two talked she could see that the man was also a victim, albeit a
different kind of victim.

She could tell from listening to the daughter that she was fooling herself
and her family that she had her addiction under control.

"He had no idea what was coming,"Linderman said. "He thought they were at
the end of the road, that she had been caught and was going to face jail
time."

Experience told Linderman that the family's ordeal was just beginning.

What the man didn't know was that more than 97 percent of meth users become
hooked the first time they try the highly addictive drug.

As a victim advocate, Linderman knew the family was going to go through a
rough time.

Families of drug users often become victims themselves who have to deal with
the monetary and emotional fall out.

Unfortunately for the loved ones, there is no place in Alabama for the
families of meth users to turn to get support.

But that's about to change if Linderman has her way.

Linderman said Angel House is planning to form a support group called
MethAnon to help family members cope with loved ones whose lives have been
impacted by the drug.

"It's in its infancy but basically what I want to do is tell them what to
expect,"Linderman said.

Linderman said the concept will be modeled after Alanon, a support group for
family members of alcoholics.

They plan to hold meetings every second Monday of the month and offer
counseling to family members dealing with the drug's effects.

"We're going to let them know that there are resources,"Linderman said.

According to Linderman, the group would be the first in the state to offer
such a support network.

"There is no support group like that that we know of,"Linderman said.

Linderman said the man's situation really tugged at her heart strings and
she wanted to do something to let people know they aren't alone.

"My heart went out to this man,"Linderman said. "He thought because she said
she quit using and was facing prison that she would be okay. But she's not."

Linderman said they will start by utilizing space in the Wiregrass Angel
House but could expand the effort statewide if there is sufficient interest.

"It's the number one growing illegal narcotic in the nation,"Linderman said.
"And Alabama is right up there. I know there are people out there who need
help - their daughter is on meth and they don't know what to do - that sort
of thing. They're not alone."

Houston County Sheriff's Department Operations Commander Don McMullan
praised Linderman for taking the initiative.

He sees people in his office all the time whose family has been impacted by
meth.

"Anytime we can get help on that end is greatly appreciated,"McMullan said.
"There's no way you can leave the family out of the equation."

Methanon plans to hold its first meeting on June 13 at 6 p.m. at the
Wiregrass Angel House. 
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MAP posted-by: Josh