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WARNING: This story deals with drug addiction and may be distressing.
She is not going to be quiet any more about the dangers of methamphetamine use, a former addict’s mother says.
Kristin Leckie, of Gore, shared part of her journey of walking with her daughter from addiction to recovery, at the Gore District Council community wellbeing committee meeting yesterday.
Leckie, director of Gore Health, said there needed to be more community awareness about the destruction methamphetamine use caused.
“It’s almost like a dirty secret that doesn’t exist.
The use of the drug was very destructive and somehow young people needed to be educated about the dangers, she said.
Those people affected by a loved one’s use of the drug also needed to be supported, she said.
She had been warned by a gang member several years ago about speaking out but she felt compelled to raise awareness.
“My daughter nearly died.”
About 10 years ago Leckie’s daughter became addicted to the drug. Her daughter paid for her use of the drug by muling, which meant she carried money from the sale of the drug back to the gang which was supplying it.
It was a stressful and fearful time for the family and at one point their house was burgled.
“We had to install security cameras and we were living on the edge for a period of time.”
It was an isolating and lonely experience, Leckie said.
“None of my friends knew what we were experiencing at the time.”
It also caused her to question her parenting skills.
