Everybody is ignorant of something. Nobody knows everything, but it sure sounds like you are the right guy to step in, and help this family. With your vast knowledge you could step right up, and actually save this family from further descent down the slippery slope.
Nobody in life starts out running. We all start just laying there, and eventually crawling, our first step, walking, falling down, and getting up, etc. etc.. I am fairly sure this includes you too?....i2f...dock dweller