A group that supports the loved ones of people grappling with drug addiction is empowering families, according to Bacchus Marsh police youth resource officer Jim Ross.
A year after the Family Drug Help meetings began, Senior Constable Ross says regular talks by doctors, lawyers and nurses have equipped parents and siblings with vital information.
“It’s a one-on-one, where they have the opportunity to ask away and get answers,’’ he said. “It also makes it easier for us to attend the family environment when we have to.”
The group has about 10 regular members, including ‘‘Julie’’, whose son has successfully completed detox and is in a rehabilitation program.
Julie has found the meetings to be a tremendous help for her and her family, who grappled with her son’s addiction for three years.
“Before I was part of the group, I thought, why don’t they just pick themselves up? But it’s not that simple,” she said.
By the third meeting, she recalls, her stress and anger had been replaced by calmness.
“Knowledge is a great thing – it creates calmness. We develop techniques for dealing with an addict’s behavior, as well as helping them make better choices by giving them boundaries and consequences.”
Senior Constable Ross said the effects of drug addiction rippled through the community.
“It’s from the immediate family to the extended family, including relatives and friends, to the wider community, with crime being committed to finance their habits,” he said. “As well as the burden placed on our health and ambulance services.”
Julie urges anyone who has a loved one with a drug addiction to seek support.
“It helps so much, and how you change your own behaviour can make a difference,” she said. “It’s not that you don’t love them, but they need to change and boundaries need to be put in place.”
Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of every month, 7.30-9.30pm.
» Details: 5366 4500
