AUSTRALIA’S crystal methamphetamine “ice” scourge is still taking a toll across the nation and South East residents impacted by the heinous drug are fed up with a lack of government support.
Emergency services across the country are regularly being confronted with the impact of drug-related issues, while Limestone Coast residents are now often looking to local campaigner Karen Judd for guidance.
Since she started campaigning, Ms Judd says she has received hundreds of calls from families impacted by the insidious issue with nowhere left to turn.
Ms Judd was recently contacted by a woman who has two brothers battling ice addiction.
The woman, who requested anonymity, said she had exhausted all options of help and was unsure what else was available to her.
“One of my brothers is currently trying to rehabilitate himself from the drug while the other is still using,” the woman said.
“My first brother, who is currently trying to seek help has been fairly unsuccessful in receiving anything.
“Without detox facilities in the area, he had to go through the process on his own and suffered numerous relapses before reaching a point where he was suitable for rehab.”
The woman’s brother then reached out for placement in the new rehab beds, but when the family found out how they were run, they decided it was not suitable for their situation.
“I do not see how it would be smart to put my brother in a position where he is not watched all the time and is surrounded by other addicts,” she said.
“What he needs is a dedicated place to go where he can focus on making a change in his life and overcoming this obstacle.”
Unfortunately, the woman’s other brother has not been able to overcome the habit and has now developed psychosis due to drug use.
As a father with a young family, the woman sees her brother as a threat to those closest to him.
After multiple issues within the family home, the woman’s sister-in-law has been removed with her children for their own protection, but still nothing has been done to rectify the problem.
“We will call police if he is acting out or threatening others,” the woman said.
“But then they will turn up and tell us there is nothing they can do due to mental health laws.
“Eventually domestic violence support was involved and his partner and children were removed, but they were taken back to the house two days later as there is a huge lack of emergency housing.”
The woman believed she had a breakthrough with her brother and was able to convince him to present at the emergency department to seek help, but after less than 24 hours he was discharged without even speaking to anyone about his mental state.
“I am completely aware of the lack of help hospitals have the option of providing,” the woman said.
“The doctor who treated him at the hospital told me they had five other people present that night with the same drug-related problems.
“I do not understand how the government can not see we all need help – not just those with family members impacted, but also all of the emergency services who do not have the resources to make a difference.”
After the hospital visit with her brother and countless other visits from SAPOL to his home without any action taken, her brother tried to take his own life.
“My brother attempted suicide less than two hours after SAPOL had left his home,” she said.
“Luckily a friend of his had turned up and stopped him – otherwise we would have lost him forever.
“Drugs and mental health go hand-in-hand, if my brother does not receive the help he so desperately needs, I know something horrific will happen.”
Ms Judd has been fighting for change since the drug-related death of her son Jay in 2010.
With the recent roll-out of six drug rehabilitation beds in the area, Ms Judd believes this is a step in the right direction, but the facilities are still totally unsuitable for those fighting the battle.
“A rehab facility is a great idea in theory,” Ms Judd said.
“But the reality is these people need to be detoxed before they can even think about rehabilitation.
“In addition, I have heard these beds are not staffed 24/7 – with three people battling addiction together in one house, it seems like a recipe for disaster.”
Ms Judd said cases like these were hugely concerning for her and believes it is only a matter of time for someone battling ice addiction in the region to make a fatal mistake.
“One day we will wake up to hear a mother or father has murdered their family in the South East because there was no help available,” Ms Judd said.
“A crisis centre needs to be implemented in our region or we are going to start losing innocent lives.
“How many families have to be impacted? How many lives need to be lost? What needs to happen before they make a change?”
• If you or someone you know is struggling with methamphetamine usage, contact 1800 ICE ADVICE (1800 423 238).
