Program Helps Tulsa Churches Reach Out To Addicts

Tackling substance abuse and addiction was hands-on lesson for church leaders in Tulsa on Saturday.

The executive director of the Faith Partners Program said many of people seek help for addiction in their local church.

The program is working with the state to treat addiction and giving local churches the tools to help treat their congregations.

“I've seen this program succeed over time," Margaret White of Faith Partners said.

White runs a treatment program at her local church and speaks at these Faith Partners workshops.

“We all come to the church looking for hope and healing and so do the people who have addiction or have addiction in their family… walking with those who are on this journey," she said.

The program said it has partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health on a three-year project to train local churches.

Drew Brooks said the program is all about equipping the faith community with tools to help its members suffering from addiction.

"Oklahoma is the very first state... influenced thousands of people," Drew Brooks of Faith Partners said.

Brooks said working with churches is important because a large amount of addicts go to religious groups for help.

Faith Partners has trained hundreds of teams and hopes to impact the lives of thousands working to free themselves from addiction.