Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New organization helps those with drug problems in Clark County region

"Helping Friends & Families of Substance Abusers Heal", is the motto of the S.A.F.E. program located at 601 South 7th St. in Arkadelphia.

S.A.F.E. stands for Substance Abuse Family Encouragement. The group is set up for substance abusers to talk to someone about their problem and try to get help.

However, the program also helps the friends and families of those abusing.

"Many times the family members blame themselves for their loved ones problem and often always think they should have tried harder to help," said Gary Bettis.

Bettis has personal experience with a family member battling with drug abuse.

"You cannot blame yourself for the problems within your family members. No matter how hard you try sometimes their problems go beyond what we can imagine," said Bettis.

S.A.F.E. asks if a person can answer yes to any of these 10 questions, that they find help for a loved one or themself.

1. Have you bailed someone out of jail or paid for their legal fees?

2. Have you paid bills they were supposed to have paid themselves?

3. Have you loaned them money?

4. Have you tried using drugs or drinking with them in hopes of strengthening the relationship?

5. Have you given them "one more chance" and then another and another?

6. Have you threatened to leave and didn't?

7. Have you finished a job or project that the addict failed to complete themself?

8. Have you ever "called in sick" for the addict, lying about their symptoms?

9. Have you accepted part of the blame for his (or her) drinking or drug abuse?

10. Have you avoided talking about their substance abuse use out of fear of the response?

Anyone who is aware of a drug problem and looking for help, whether it be for themselves or the addict, can call Dr. Bill Viser at (870) 246-9524 or Lynda at (870) 246-9414. The S.A.F.E. website is http://rrbaonmission.org/safe.html

Meetings are held at the Red River Baptist Association Building at 601 South 7th Street in Arkadelphia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.