Anti ice campaigner Jose Porcia’s journey to recovery

Jose Porcia’s ice recovery is a powerful reminder that drug addiction can happen to anyone at anytime. See how the Coffs Harbour man battled against all odds to turn things around.

Jose Porcia was a successful financial worker for a major bank, full of promise and potential.

One afternoon, his friend – who also worked at a major bank – suggested ice as a way of dealing with stress.

“For me and many people, it was something as innocent as a friend recommending it,” he said.

Now based in Coffs Harbour, Jose, 52, said it was a decision that would change his life forever.

“I’d never used drugs in my life, but I fell in love with it,” he explained.

The decision to try ice at age 33 had profound and near immediate negative impact.

Within three weeks, Jose was asking for the dealer’s number.

Two years on, he had lost his family, his home, his car - and had strayed into a criminal world far removed from his city worker life.

Jose Porcia (centre) with Australian Anti Ice Campaign CEO Andre'a Simmons and members of the Coffs Harbour Community Ice Action Team.

Eventually, he explained, he “needed the highs to function”.

Jose’s story is a reminder of the constant threat drugs pose to communities.

He now works at the Australian Anti Ice Campaign, spreading awareness of the harrowing reality of ice addiction through workshops and presentations.

“There's a good chance ice will be introduced to you – not from some shady character around the corner but maybe one of your friends,” he said.

In confronting detail Jose describes the ice-induced psychosis he experienced: “Feeling bugs crawling up and down your skin”.

Jose now educates and runs workshops for the Australian Anti Ice Campaign in Coffs Harbour. Photo: Kyle Hands

“I once didn’t sleep for 30 days,” he said.

“ I thought people were after me – I would look through the windows and put black garbage bags on them.”

Jose said he was driven solely by the goal of finding more ice, no matter the cost.

“I stole money from my brother and blamed it on my nieces,” he admitted.

The rush to chase another high led him to commit crimes to feed his addiction and he became cut off from friends and family.

“As an addict you don‘t see your life as it really is. After 13 years of being homeless, my family didn't want anything to do with me,” he said.

A moment of shame while walking through an airport with a garbage bag full of donated clothes would set in motion a series of events that would change his life for the better.

Jose Porcia (centre) and Andre'a Simmons and members of the Coffs Harbour Australian Anti Ice Campaign.

“The irony hit me – wait a minute, look at all these travellers, smiling with their own luggage,” he said.

In that moment, he smashed his phone and cut all ties with his previous life. After years of drug abuse he decided to check in to the Adele House substance abuse program in Coffs Harbour.

He describes this moment as a “special awakening”, a moment that saved his life.

Jose has been clean for seven years, and said his family is now a big part of his life.

“I've given my mum money to go overseas and travel,” he said.

He’s currently undertaking a Bachelor of Ministry, despite suffering from memory retention difficulties as a result of his years on ice.

Jose Porcia and Andre’a Simmons – a life rebuilt.

Staying clean was an uphill battle and for Jose the first two years were the hardest.

“You have to fight. I asked myself what the point of getting clean was,” he said.

He now sees clearly: “The worst day of my life today is still better than the best day I had in addiction.”

Now, when his family pass through Coffs, they see the real Jose. A smart, happy and inspiring man who the nieces can rely on for help with their economics papers.

If you, or someone you know, needs help with substance addiction contact the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline: [phone] (available 24/7).