ToughLove in the news

 

 

I REFER to "Drug abuse a crisis: The north in a grip: Parents don't care" (TB, 1 June).

Like most concerned persons I am indeed very concerned. Thus the sub-heading: "Parents don't care", is the motivation for my writing this letter.

Nowadays, many newspapers and Magazines are highlighting this very issue of drugs and our children. I would like to say that probably there are many concerned parents who do indeed care, but feel they have nowhere to turn to for help and support. But, help is at hand.

There is a ToughLove parent support group in the Tygerberg area which meets on Tuesday evenings at 19:30 at the Parow North NG Church hall in Thiele Street. The contact phone number 083 286 7270

At present we have a membership of approximately 25 caring parents who are facing and learning how to best deal with our problems. We learn early-on in the programme that problem children have problem parents.

It is at the Tough Love meetings that I am learning to face the world again. I am learning to change myself, and make a positive stand against my child smoking dagga and tik.

I am learning that I have a right to a peaceful home life without the devastating presence of drugs. I know that I cannot cure my child, but can make it difficult for him to do drugs in the future.

I am learning how not to be an enabling parent, and that my child must learn to take responsibility for his own actions.

Most importantly, I am learning that I am not all alone, feeling trapped in the web of lies, abuse, deception and misery brought about by my substance-abusing son.

Sure, it takes courage to get to a ToughLove meeting for the first time. But for me, it was the beginning of positive changes to get positive results.

LOUISE McNish

(Letter in The Tygerburger, Wednesday 15 June 2005)

 

 

Parents have the support to help cope

 

Date: posted July 25 2007

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