substance abuse has been formed.

The Healing Families Group intends to establish more services aimed specifically at the family as a unit in substance abuse cases.

Martha Dismont, executive director of The Family Learning Centre, and Cathy Belvedere, associate director of The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, founded the group after they realised that there was little support available to entire families struggling with substance abuse issues.

"We have spent the past eight months looking for ways to accurately assess the needs of families who struggle with this issue,'' co-chair Mrs. Dismont told The Royal Gazette .

"These needs include getting an understanding of how to cope with the emotional and financial strain on the marriage, on family members, and simply knowing how to interact with each other in a healthy way through the process of recovery.'' The key goals of the organisation include defining needs and devising an assessment strategy, beginning to build a community coalition and identifying key individuals to involve with the group.

The group, which includes church representatives, family members, non-profit and government agencies, has the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the National Drug Commission.

DRUGS DGS