“Preamble”

     PDAP is a fellowship of young people and parents who share their experience, love and understanding that they may solve their common problems and help others recover from the effects of mind-changing chemicals. PDAP is non-sectarian and the primary requirement for membership is the desire to live a chemical free life.

    Our primary purpose is to carry our love and understanding to others and to practice the principles of love and honesty in our daily lives with the help of God as we understand him.

Individual Counseling:

Professional counseling is offered Monday thru Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm.

Support Group Meetings:

• Younger Group (Ages 12-17)
• Older Group (Ages 18-25)
• Adult Group (Ages 26+)
• Family support (Parents & other close family members)
• Organized Activities (REBOS)

Prevention Programs:

Special People (Ages 5-12)

South Texas Drug-Free Youth Leadership Conference

Younger Group (Ages 12-17)

   The Younger Group is the main focus of PDAP. Younger Group is staffed with full-time counselors who provide the structure necessary to help make changes possible. PDAP offers support group meetings three times a week, individual and family counseling, and a peer counseling system where young abusers who are well on their way to recovery sponsor other teens as they enter the program. Counselors also work daily in area schools with at-risk students.

Older Group (Ages 18-25)

    Young adult substance abusers are often children emotionally, but are entering into the legal aspects and responsibilities of adults. Goals may include completing high school or obtaining a GED, attending college, or acquiring a job. PDAP offers support group meetings three times a week and individual counseling as needed on an ongoing basis.

Adult Group (Ages 26+)

    Beginning or managing a career, starting their own families, and financial difficulties are just some of the stresses that may prove to be overwhelming for some adults. Recreational use of alcohol or even drugs may become substance abuse as they search for relief from their problems. Alcoholics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous are good sources of support for some adults; however, many require additional or alternative supports that include individual and family counseling and support groups for their family. PDAP offers support group meetings three times a week and individual counseling as needed on an ongoing basis.

Family Support Group

   The success these individuals have is enhanced when they have support of their family. PDAP provides individual counseling and three weekly support group meetings for family members as well. Family members learn to take a stand with love, set boundaries with consequences and no longer accept the abusive behavior that destroys the family. Family members support each other, recognize their own feelings, learn how to appropriately deal with their situation, and stand up for the integrity of their household. The Family Group has a devoted part-time counselor who is assisted by the counselors from each of the substance abuser’s groups.

 

Special People (Ages 5-12)

     Do you know a child who may be disruptive at school, refuses to do their homework, cries a lot, is withdrawn from home activities, and/or gets angry easily? When asked what’s wrong; they are unable to answer your questions, perhaps too embarrassed to talk to anyone. If you know of a child like this, the Special People program is here to help. Special People is a FREE, confidential, educational prevention program that is designed to work with children ages 5-12. These children grow up with many confused feelings. Our hope is to teach them how to cope with these feelings and value themselves. In other words, teach them that they are truly SPECIAL PEOPLE! Special People follows an 8-week cycle and is divided according to ages. Meetings are held on Mondays from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. To register or for more information call (956) 687-7714. This program is led by a PDAP counselor and assisted by trained volunteers from the Junior League of McAllen.

 

Activities (REBOS)

    Young people today are faced with an increasing amount of opportunities to abuse alcohol or drugs and fewer opportunities for drug-free social interactions. PDAP currently offers an innovative way for teenagers to receive counseling and interact with peers in a positive environment. Teenagers and young adults are encouraged to “hang out” at PDAP when they are not in school or at work. While at PDAP they can shoot pool, play cards, chess, video games, or basketball. Most importantly, they can socialize in a non-threatening, sober environment. More organized activities are held on Friday and Saturday nights and some Sundays. Activities include volleyball, softball, cookouts, trips to the beach, and camping, as well as weekend retreats

 

South Texas Drug Free Youth Leadership Conference

    Each summer PDAP, in cooperation with 50 South Texas school districts, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and other youth oriented organizations, prepares approximately 250 middle and high school student leaders to work with at-risk students in their communities. These students are paired with an adult leader from their community and trained in asset and leadership development at one of two two-day conferences. Teaching developmental strengths, or assets, allows youth to bring about healthy outcomes in their lives by creating resistance to at-risk or health-compromising behaviors. The students are then asked to develop an on-going service project that allows the student leaders to teach strength development to their school and community. Asset development as taught at the Youth Leadership Conference enables young people to overcome the negative influence of their environment and become healthy, positive influences with their peers. For more information please call Fidencio (Fito) Mercado at (956) 687-7714.