Bacchus Marsh residents have thrown their weight behind an initiative to push drugs out of their community.
More than 200 people turned out to a drug information evening on May 25 to learn about the effects of drugs, how to approach the subject with their children and what they can do to combat the problem.
The initiative, dubbed A Way Through, was launched by Moorabool police in 2012.
It aims to educate the community on aspects of illicit drugs, particularly the high-profile methamphetamine, otherwise known as ice.
Presentations were made by Moorabool police, addiction health workers and guest speaker Glenn Manton, a former AFL player and motivational speaker.
The mother of a recovering addict, who wished to be known only as Julie, gave an emotional account of her son’s 10-year struggle with ice.
“It’s been a long journey and it’s still going,” she said.
“My son said he turned to drugs because he was bored and had nothing better to do. He’d be good one day and lapse the next. It’s always up and down like a roller coaster, not only for him but for our family.
“Drugs are an evil thing and they seem to be weaving their way into the social lives of our young people. It’s just something that’s become acceptable for them to do when they’re out and having fun.”
Leading Senior Constable Jim Ross said the problem of drugs did not discriminate.
“Drugs is not just a youth problem,” he told the meeting. “It’s not just a police problem. It’s a problem that affects everyone in our community”.
Leading Senior Constable Ross encouraged parents to educate themselves about the issue before they spoke to their children.
