Josh Tam’s parents on drugs culture after son’s festival death
The parents of a young Brisbane man who overdosed at a music festival say they will “devote their life” to ensuring no more Queenslanders are lost to Australia’s recreational drug culture.
QLD News
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THE heartbroken parents of a young Brisbane man who overdosed at a music festival say they will “devote their life” to ensuring no more Queenslanders are lost to Australia’s recreational drug culture.
But Julie and John Tam — whose son Josh, 22, died at the Lost Paradise music festival near Gosford on December 29 — would not be drawn into the pill testing debate.
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Instead, they hope the public would “start more simple conversations about these issues” first.
In a statement, the Tam family said they would also take on public speaking roles in the near future as pressure mounts for pill testing to be introduced.
But first they need time to heal.
“In Josh’s honour, we as a united family are devoted to helping implement positive changes in the youth community and culture, to minimise the amount of young lives lost. No family should have to endure the pain of a death of a loved one that is possibly preventable,” the statement read.
“Joshua’s legacy has already sparked the move towards genuine conversation between youth and all those invested in their wellbeing. We hope that many more simple conversations about these issues can educate and potentially save a life.”
The family thanked the community for their “love and support” during their darkest time and said they would continue speaking publicly to drive their message home.
“We look forward to speaking publicly on how we plan to move forward with our ideas when it is the right time for our family,” the statement read.
The family has helped set-up a charity called ‘Just Mossin’ in Josh’s honour. Its website sells caps with the slogan on it for $30, with all funds going to towards drug education and awareness.
His mother previously shared her heartache after losing Josh.
“On Boxing Day 2018 my husband and I were leaving for our annual Christmas beach holiday,” she wrote on the charity’s website.
“I kissed my beautiful son goodbye as usual much to his disgust and said drive safe to the festival, it’s a long drive.
“He smirked and said, ‘you know mum, boys and long drives’ in his dark humour kind of way. That’s something we had in common.
“That’s all I had worried about. I mean we had endless conversation about drugs and alcohol, we hardly needed another.”
Then, at 11.37pm, almost four hours after Josh’s overdose, Julie received the call that would change her life.
“I woke to a phone call no parent should have to receive. Who? Our son? Surely not? Our lives have changed forever,” she said.
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