FAM
	Families Against Meth Is A Non-Profit Organization Formed In Saskatoon In December 2004 By A Group Of Concerned Families Dealing With Substance Abuse Of A Loved One.
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Mission Statement	Stories from the Heart
Our Vision
Support Meetings	"Delores Story"
What is Crystal Meth?	When Scott quit school in grade 11 to have a career baking pizzas, I was
Help Numbers	certain that living in the real world open his eyes.    I had over estimated my
More Links	influence on him, and I underestimated the influence of his peers.
Annual General Meeting
Informational Forums	Over the next few years, through all of his ups and downs, we usually only
Upcoming Events	heard from Scott when he was in some sort struggle.  I often questioned
A Mother's Thoughts	myself, “where did I go wrong?”
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	By the time Scott was 25 he was trying to convince his Step-Dad and me
	that marijuana should be legalized because it had been proven to be
	beneficial for many medical conditions.  He dismissed the fact that he did
	not have glaucoma nor was not going through chemotherapy.
	In the late summer of 2005, Scott, at the age of 30, informs his step-dad, in
	confidence, that he has tried Crystal Meth.  I think this was Scott’s first cry
	for help.  I am certain that he knew Ed would not keep this information from
	me.
	I had heard news reports about crystal meth, and wrongly assumed that this was
	something young kids, who didn’t know better, were doing.  I wondered why
	anyone would deliberately put this poison their body.  Now it was right in my face
	and I knew very little about it.  Thankfully, the internet is full of any information you
	need, whenever you need it.  I learned that when a young person starts using any
	drugs, even marijuana, their maturity stalls.  I now understood that there was a
	reason why Scott never seemed to grow up.  He was a 30 year old teenager.
	As Scott spiraled downward, depression was very evident.  I became desperate
	for helpful information.  I spent many hours on the internet, trying to find out as
	much information as I could.  Everything I learned only increased my fears, the
	next website was always more disturbing than the one before.  Crystal Meth was
	my first thought in the morning, last thought at night, and occupied my thoughts all
	through the day.  It was then that I realized that Scott’s addiction had become my
	obsession.  By December, his depression increased and he was suicidal.  I finally
	realized that if I would be successful in helping him, I would have to distance
	myself from the meth and concentrate on any and all available health care services.
	While trying to find help for him, all of the professionals, family doctor, Addiction
	Services, and even internet sites, stressed the importance of taking care of you
	first.  After almost 3 months of spinning my wheels, it finally sunk in.  And
	although, I felt at times as though I was deserting him, I realize now the importance
	of taking care of myself, my marriage, and my un-addicted daughter.  Through
	Don Johanesson, at Larson House, Ed and I learned of Families Against Meth.
	Through Families Against Meth, we learned that we were not alone.  We had
	found a place where we could vent our frustrations and anger, express our fears,
	and cry if we needed, all without feeling guilty about it.  We can share our stories,
	or we can be silent and try to benefit from the experiences of others.  We also
	found that it is important for us share our joys and by doing so, help others to
	see that the outcome does not have to be devastating.
	It was a long and bumpy road, much too long to go into fully this evening, but
	thankfully, Scott agreed to accept the help from Teen Challenge.  He has
	completed the one year he needed to graduate, completed the six month intern
	program, and right now is in the Staff in Training Program at Teen Challenge
	Atlantic Canada.  In January he hopes to become a staff member with Teen
	Challenge Saskatchewan.
	The way that I see it now, if I had not taken care myself, I would not be in a
	position or frame of mind to enjoy seeing Scott’s efforts become a reality.
	____________________________________________________
	Nancy's Story
	In 2004, my husband and I attended a forum on crystal meth addiction. It was the best thing that we ever did for ourselves.                                                             At this forum we discovered that the devastating events of drug addiction we were experiencing due to the addiction of our adult son were happening to others in our community. This information was very empowering and we felt that perhaps we could be a part of the solution instead of waiting for others to do something. We became involved with a small group, five to be exact, who felt that we could make a difference in our community and as a result help our loved ones. Thus as a result Families Against Meth was formed.                                                           We started with our support groups. Here we found a non-judgmental,  unshockable and understanding group of parents and friends of loved ones who face the devastating effects of drug addiction daily as we were. This group of       strangers had been walking the same bumpy road as us. Facing the same challenges and obstacles to finding help for our son and us.                                                           Families Against Meth has enlightened us. We know that although we may have not been perfect parents we certainly did try. Addiction comes as the result of poor decisions by the addicted, peer pressure or lack of knowledge regarding     the dangers of substance abuse. It lifted a weight off our shoulders and made us  stronger. We would need this strength to face what was to come.                          I would encourage anyone who faces the addiction of a loved one to come  and join our group. I believe that it has made me a much stronger person and     certainly more understanding to others dealing with addiction. Addiction is an ugly disease, but it does help to hear how others have handled different obstacles. It helps us remain positive and know that things are changing, even if not fast enough for our liking.                           - Nancy
	____________________________________________________
	"I AM METH"
	This was written by a young girl who was in jail for drug
	Charges, and was addicted to meth. She wrote this while in jail. As you will
	Soon read, she fully grasped the horrors of the drug, as she tells in this
	Simple, yet profound poem. She was released from jail, but true to her
	Story, the drug owned her. They found her dead not long after, with the
	Needle still in her arm.
	Please keep praying for our Children, Teens, Young adults. Understand,
	This thing is worse than any of us realize...
	My Name: "Is Meth"
	I destroy homes, I tear families apart, take your children, and that's just the
	start.
	I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold,
	The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
	If you need me, remember! I'm easily found,
	I live all around you - in schools and in town.
	I live with the rich; I live with the poor,
	I live down the street, and maybe next door.
	I'm made in a lab, but not like you think,
	I can be made under the kitchen sink.
	In your child's closet, and even in the woods,
	If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.
	I have many names, but there's one you know best,
	I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth.
	My power is awesome; try me you'll see,
	But if you do, you may never break free.
	Just try me once and I might let you go,
	But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.
	When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,
	You do what you have to -- just to get high.
	The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms
	Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms,
	Your lungs your nose.
	You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad,
	When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
	But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,
	I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
	I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
	I turn people from God, and separate friends.
	I turn people from God, and separate friends.
	I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,
	I'll be with you always -- right by your side.
	You'll give up everything - your family, your home,
	Your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.
	I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give,
	When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.
	If you try me be warned - this is no game,
	If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
	I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
	I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.
	The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed,
	The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.
	The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see,
	I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
	But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart,
	That you are mine, and we shall not part.
	You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,
	But you came to me, not I to you.
	You knew this is would happen, many times you were told,
	But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
	You could have said no, and just walked away,
	If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
	I'll be your master, you will be my slave,
	I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
	Now that you have met me, what will you do?
	Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.
	I can bring you more misery than words can tell,
	Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.
	____________________________________________________
	I thought no one cared, then I found FAM.
	- J.T.
	Addiction is an ugly disease. FAM helped me to understand the power of addiction to the addict and that there is hope for recovery.
	- L.R.
	I never dreamed that addiction would affect our close knit family.
	- C.J.