The new Narooma-based group known as “ICE Turning family pain into Power” is holding a community meeting this Wednesday.
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The support group is now offering meetings and information for people affected by the drug ice in the Narooma district. “Together we can educate and empower all” is the group’s slogan.
There was an initial meeting on April 12 to discuss the way forward and the group now plans to hold regular fortnightly meetings to reach out to ice-affected families.
The group was started by local women Michelle Preston and Donna Falconer after the battle they had with family members being addicted to the drug ice. Click here for their story
Ms Preston said about eight people attended the group’s first meeting, and it was a chance to make contact with some in desperate need of help.
“It just shows you the stigma attached with people around the use of this drug,” she said. “We are were able to get to people who have absolutely no idea of how to deal with it and offer some self empowerment to those affected by this disgusting stuff.”
The group now also plans to start fundraising to offer more programs and is already involved with bringing motivational speaker and former rugby league player Joe Williams to the region to speak at high schools at Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma.
Ms Preston and Ms Falconer also continue to work with the Connelly Irwin Counselling and Consultancy Service in Moruya and the new Billy’s Gift suicide prevention program.
“There is an increasing amount of suicide associated with this problem and suicide is often the end-point for those hooked on ice,” Ms Preston said.
Anyone whose family has been impacted on by the drug ice is encouraged to attend the next ICE meeting at 11am on Wednesday, May 3 at 11 Brou Court, Dalmeny.
Contact can be made at the group’s Facebook page entitled “ICE Turning family pain into Power”.
For those in need of immediate help, there always is the Lifeline hotline on 13 11 14 while Billy’s Gift suicide prevention can be reached on 0437 729 703.