An organization developed as a specific means of helping meet the increasing drug problem in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, especially for those who may already be involved in chemical or other dependencies.
Initiative for AAP as an organization came from the grass roots level, beginning with an informal group of 13 parents meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss forming a parent support movement within the church. Exploratory meetings determined the feasibility of such an organization and climaxed in a mass rally of parents, educators, and church leaders who called for immediate action.
Formal organization was completed on Apr. 27, 1985, in Atlanta, Georgia, at which time bylaws were adopted and a board of directors was chosen, along with a panel of educational and professional advisors. The basic aim of AAP is described in its statement of philosophy: “The use and abuse of both legal and illegal drugs in the Seventh-day Adventist Church have reached challenging proportions. Such use has extended into many segments of our church, bringing with it individual loss, spiritual degeneration, and disregard for law and regulation. With the ever younger age of drug and alcohol users, even extending to elementary school children, we as parents feel that we must join together to accomplish the changes necessary to ensure a drug-free environment to today’s and the children yet to come. . . . We are committed to work in a productive, nonjudgmental manner to create positive change in the church, home, school, and community.”
The AAP works in close cooperation with other parent groups and community efforts to encourage recovery from and to prevent addictive problems. It helps provide resources for parents and youth to prevent, reduce, or eliminate drug use. Another aim of the AAP is to provide referral for those needing information as to places or persons who can help families in crisis.
A major project of AAP is the Celebration of Recovery, which is a weekend spiritual retreat for Adventists with dependency problems. These celebrations explore spiritual resources for recovery and provide opportunity for participants to share experiences, strength, and hope, and to offer praise to God for the gift of continuing sobriety.
The AAP is a membership organization open to anyone desirous of furthering the purposes of the organization, benefiting from its services, or contributing (financial or otherwise) to its program. Where feasible, AAP encourages the formation of local parent support groups to help families and youth facing addiction and dependency problems.