CHULA VISTA, Calif., Nov. 3, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Each week across the country, more than one thousand young people die because of drug abuse. This translates to more than 50,000 grieving families annually who need help. Taking heed of this statistic, couple Patricia and Russ Wittberger wrote the powerful new book When a Child Dies From Drugs. Parents who also lost a child to substance abuse, they reach out with their book as a powerful medium to help other parents who are experiencing the ultimate tragedy of their child's death from drugs or alcohol; parents who find themselves isolated in a dark void wondering whether they will ever resurface into the real world again.
This book offers strength and supportive aid in grief recovery gleaned not only from personal experiences but also from meeting with many parents through their "Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing" (GRASP) outreach. It covers the emotional trauma of learning of the child's demise, the guilt, denial, anger, what-ifs, and acceptance. It offers suggestions on how to cope daily and face a future that will never be the same, and dispenses practical advice for those who would want to aid the bereaved.
With personal insights, When a Child Dies From Drugs is very much like friends reaching out to friends in compassion and kindness. The authors are friends who understand because, quite simply, they continue to be on the same journey to healing and understanding. They have successfully translated their tragedy into a life-changing resolve to help other parents who have also suffered the anguish and heartbreak of losing a child to the evils of drugs.
About the Authors
The Wittbergers are parents of six children, grandparents of six grandchildren, and find it difficult to realize they are also great-grandparents.
Russ is a Milwaukee native and a graduate of Marquette University's College of Journalism. He is a director of marketing for Metro Networks, the division of Westwood One that provides traffic reports to radio affiliates. This follows a twenty-five-year-career in broadcast management.
Pat, formerly a professional actress and dancer, wrote the scripts for the Jenny's Journey drug misuse presentations and video and has contributed an article based on an episode in their daughter's battles with addictions for the Naval magazine, Ashore. She wrote several chapters about their daughter, Jennifer, which will appear in a book by British journalist Fiona Griffiths.
The Wittbergers reside in San Diego.
When a Child Dies From Drugs -- By Patricia and Russ Wittberger
Trade Paperback; $20.99; 108 pages; 1-4134-3913-6
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