The Mission Statement of Hope for Kids Like Me 501(c)3 is to identify and recognize children of addicted parents and provide education and support for the children and those parents.

We, the Board of Directors, for “Hope for Kids Like Me” would like to thank each and every one of you for the contributions you sent our way. This has provided warm coats, hats, food and Christmas for children in the San Luis Valley. And, the founder of the 501©3 Amarah says, “Thank you.” Amarah spent many Christmas holidays cold, hungry and without even a warm plushy to snuggle. Her mother is an addict and Amarah is now cared for by her grandmother. This is the story of so many of our children who have been affected by parental drug abuse.

Meet each new person of addiction without judgement. It is difficult to overcome and remember, the children are innocent in all of this. Again, thanks for helping us to provide a small amount of comfort for the holiday season.

With applications received, plus multiple requests which straggled in at the last minute, we assisted approximately 40-50 children and families this Christmas season, 2019.

We received the following monetary donations to Amarah’s 2019 Christmas Toy/Food/Warm Clothing Drive:

w $400-South Fork New Hope Church

w $100-Accent on Flowers

w $200-SLVRMC

w $50-Walmart

We received clothing and toy donations from:

Dr. Barbara Troy, Camille Dunn, Cheryl McCann and multiple anonymous donors.

Food donations: Joan and Marianne Buehler.

Christmas tree donations, complete with lights and decorations, from Mrs. Rosalie Martinez.

Many Thanks to Mrs. Rosalie Martinez for allowing donations to be dropped off at ACE Hardware.

Thank every grandparent who has stepped in to care for these children. There are many, and resources are short. With your blessings we have helped them in a small way.

What are the goals of substance abuse for 2020? The following discussion is from the Health People 2020. To set a goal, know why it is important and to understand substance abuse in general. The federal government will be working on legislation for reform.

GOAL

Reduce substance abuse to protect the health, safety and quality of life for all, especially children.

In 2005, an estimated 22 million Americans struggled with a drug or alcohol problem. Almost 95% of people with substance use problems are considered unaware of their problem. Of those who recognize their problem, 273,000 have made an unsuccessful effort to obtain treatment. These estimates highlight the importance of increasing prevention efforts and improving access to treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.

Substance abuse has a major impact on individuals, families and communities. The effects of substance abuse are cumulative, significantly contributing to costly social, physical, mental and public health problems. These problems include: teenage pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), other sexually transmitted diseases, domestic violence, child abuse, motor vehicle crashes, physical fights, crime, homicide and suicide.

Substance abuse refers to a set of related conditions associated with the consumption of mind- and behavior-altering substances that have negative behavioral and health outcomes. Social attitudes and political and legal responses to the consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs make substance abuse one of the most complex public health issues. In addition to the considerable health implications, substance abuse has been a flash point in the criminal justice system and a major focal point in discussions about social values: People argue over whether substance abuse is a disease with genetic and biological foundations or a matter of personal choice.

Improvements in brain-imaging technologies and the development of medications that assist in treatment have gradually shifted the research community’s perspective on substance abuse. There is now a deeper understanding of substance abuse as a disorder that develops in adolescence and, for some individuals, will develop into a chronic illness that will require lifelong monitoring and care.

Improved evaluation of community-level prevention has enhanced researchers’ understanding of environmental and social factors that contribute to the initiation and abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, leading to a more sophisticated understanding of how to implement evidence-based strategies in specific social and cultural settings.

A stronger emphasis on evaluation has expanded evidence-based practices for drug and alcohol treatment. Improvements have focused on the development of better clinical interventions through research and increasing the skills and qualifications of treatment providers. —Barbara Troy, MD.

REFERENCES

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Healthy People 2010 mid-course review: Focus area 26, substance abuse [Internet]. Washington: HHS; 2006 [cited 2010 April 12]. Available from: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2010/Data/midcourse/pdf/FA26.pdf [PDF-1.36 MB]

National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse. Prescription Drug Abuse: A Research Update from the National Institute on Drug Abuse [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: NIDA; 2011 Dec. [cited 2017 Aug 2]

Thank You, Dr. Troy!

Remember, Jesus loves you, and Jesus is Lord.