Even though Laura is a fictional person, her problem is real. An estimated 12-million Americans turn to alcohol or drugs to help them cope with their problems. In 1956, the American Medical Association identified alcoholism as a disease with distinguishable and progressive symptoms. That recognition was followed bv the Myers Act, which established state-funded treatment programs. Now, a real Laura has a place to turn for help.
Alcoholism is a disease which often begins during the teen-age years.
It's difficult to know if an adolescent starts drinking because of family problems, or if family problems arise because of the teen-ager's drinking. In December, Streich and her staff began helping five teenagers and their families learn to cope with substance abuse. If an angry kid punches a hole in the wall, usually they will show up in the office a little while later asking where to find the dry wall mix. During a recent conversation with four of the residents, they talked about their feelings on the program but asked that their real names not be used. During that time, he has earned his GED, and is now looking forward to leaving the program and enrolling in St. Petersburg Junior College.