Palmer, formerly Palmer Drug Abuse Programs of Tulsa (PDAP Tulsa), was established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency in August 1981.
The original PDAP organization, which Palmer continues to reference as part of its history, was founded in Houston in 1971.
The catalyst for PDAP Tulsa was a young couple transferred from Texas who had children in PDAP Houston and wanted them to continue their counseling in Tulsa. They invited representatives from PDAP Houston to present the Palmer counseling philosophy to a group of Tulsa business leaders resulting in several philanthropists committing themselves to the creation of a PDAP in Tulsa.
The most active, original supporters of PDAP Tulsa included Mr. Ralph Reed, President of Cotton Petroleum; Mr. Raymond Bachelor, Executive Vice President of Bovaird Supply Company; Mr. Henry Zarrow, President of Sooner Pipe and Supply; and Mr. Bill Miller of Dowell.