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news.com.au – Ice from all angles

2nd April 2016 – Author: Vanessa Brown – Source: news.com.au

“Ice from all angles: Australian Drug Foundation release videos from ex-user, a parent and a doctors point of view.”

IT’S the addiction that’s gripping parts of the country like never seen before.

It’s been around for some time, but the ice epidemic has reached levels over the past three years that has caught many Australians off guard.

While seven per cent of Australians aged 14 years and over have used meth/amphetamines one or more times in their life, only two per cent of that same demographic have the drug in the previous 12 months. Yet, the problem of addiction continues to grow.

Why don’t people get help? How does one get help? How can we help?

According to the Australian Drug Foundation, the problem blocking the solution lies in the stigma surrounding ice addicts.

In a bid to breakdown the negativity and misunderstanding, the ADF has rolled out a three-part video series, which looks at the effect of ice on a former addict, a mother and a doctor.

The clips discuss the lack of understanding about addiction, and that underneath the problem lies someone’s child, brother or friend.

THE FORMER ADDICT: JAY MORRIS

In 2015, Jay made headlines after appearing on the front page of The Advertiser,where he revealed how his addiction to crystal meth led him to an “Ice Hell”.

From prostitution to being forced to live under a bridge, Mr Morris’ two-year addiction started when he moved back to Australia after a stint abroad in London.

“Drugs offered me an escape to be who I wanted to be,” he said.

“I’d have a shot and two hours later I’d need another one. I’d be up 24 hours on end. I was shooting up and selling myself.

“I felt like a king.

“I felt wanted, in charge, powerful,” he said.

Now, Mr Morris has sat down as part of the ADF video series, where he speaks of the “loneliness” as an addict, and the sense of isolation from those around you.

“I started using ice when I was 20 years old. I used it recreationally, and formed a habit over a period of a couple of months,” Mr Morris says.

“It ended up spiralling in to something that I couldn’t control, and then went through a very long and painful recovery period.”

It wasn’t until a stranger spoke up, and suggested Mr Morris “go to rehab” that he realised his habit was hurting those around him.

“It was a few things that came together for me to realise I needed help,” he said.

“I was going out regularly to night clubs, and there was actually a security guard who said to me that I needed to go to rehab, which was amazing.

“To this day, the fact that somebody put their hands out and said ‘you need help’ was a kick in the arse.

“It really pushed me along and that was the moment I realised, ‘Yes, I need the help. Yes, I need to move forward.’”

Read the rest of the article here.