[VOZO999]

Where to start...

It was recently brought to my attention that my mother uses and abuses methamphetamines. I knew about previous spells she had with crystal meth, but believed she was long done with that kind of life and she assured me of this. I am 27 and the oldest of her children. My youngest sister, who is 15, still lives with her. The situation at home for my sister has recently gotten worse. My mother has become erratic, unpredictable and violent and this is often directed at my sister. A few days ago, my mother decided to take some sleeping pills as she had been on a binge for several days. My sister was unable to wake her and was forced to call 911. My mother was so angry that my sister "called the cops" that she refused to see my sister at the hospital visit and later tried to physically attack her. I currently have my sister, but am not sure how to get custody for her in my state (california). My mother has already threatened to call the cops on me for kidnapping and she has called most of our mutual family and friends claiming her child was "ripped from her arms" by "thugs." Also, my mother's "friends" come around at all hours of day and night, and often times my mother passes out and leaves my sister in the house with whomever. This is completely unacceptable and it angers me to the point of tears. I have tried to convince my mom to seek help but she REFUSES to even admit to her drug use. I am at a loss for what to do... I know that I have to seek some sort of legal custody but I am afraid of the repercussions of a meth crazed mom and what might happen to my sister if I don't get custody... I know this sounds so horrible, and some say you can lead a horse to water, but is there ANY way, no matter how sneaky or tricky, to get my mom into rehab or a mental hospital to clean up WITHOUT her consent? I love both my mother and my sister very much... but if I had to choose between the two of them, I choose my sister, without question or hesitation. Any advice would be appreciated.

[smoothy]

Turn her in to the cops... her being out of jail at this point puts your sister at risk. Also file to get custody of your sister with the court.

Sounds past due for tough love.