Expert: Hector Manuel Rodriguez - 9/25/2009

Question
Our daughter is 23 and up until this week had us all fooled.  We sorta guessed she was involved with drugs but never in our wildest dreams did we think she was shooting up heroin. Her cell phone is off and she sold her car and we have no idea where she is or who she might be with, not to mention she has no money.  She has been kicked out of her boyfriends b/c he doesn't want to deal with her or the drugs.  We are filing a missing person report tomorrow BUT....we don't know what to do if and when they find her.  We have zero money to dole out for rehab and as bad as it might sound we don't want her in our home since we know she will steal and try to manipulate us for money, etc.  She needs more than a 30 day treatment facility but with no money what or where do we go?  And I am so upset b/c in looking for a photo to give to the police we realized we don't have a recent photo of her and just feel like we have dropped the ball and failed her.  BUT we don't want to throw in the towel and want to give her one final opportunity to get help.  Are there any facilities (long term, 1 year or more) that accept people with little or no money?  How do we approach her when and if she is found?  This is all just so sickening and one minute we are mad and the next we are in tears.

Answer
Hello there!

You are not the only one with the same situation, be patient.
She may be able to get some heroin still because she is a woman.
Leave her a message on her voicemail saying that you want to help her no matter what she has done and that she is very welcomed to your home.

Once you find her, go for treatment very fast, there are a few  low cost or free  Rehabilitation places such as the Salvation Army or you may even use United Ways by calling 211 from your telephone.
Please, have faith that she will come back soon and give her tons of love and care.
You may also check on her belongings to see if you can find a phone book so you may contact her friends and make them aware of the situation. Maybe some of them might know where she is.

I would report her missing as soon as possible.
The sooner you make this, the sooner you may have her back..
Her withdrawal will be like hell, heroin withdrawal is one of the worst things a human being can  bear with.
If I can be of more help, please let me know.

A big hug for you,

Héctor Manuel Rodriguez.