Mum’s desperate plea for son on drugs: ‘He’s not going to live to 25’

A loving mum is at a loss after her teenaged son fell into the wrong crowd, became addicted to drugs and broke a security officer’s leg and now she’s issuing a plea for help.

A mother calls for mandatory rehab for teens on drugs. Thursday, February 17, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

A Toowoomba mum whose son became addicted to drugs has issued a desperate plea to introduce mandatory rehabilitation to steer teens away from a life of crime.

The woman said her son was just 13 and had been excelling at school when he was first exposed to drugs, turning the once bright and ambitious son into a “total stranger”.

Once resembling a picture-perfect family, the mother said their world came crashing down during Australia’s first Covid-19 lockdown, when her son met a group of teenagers who offered him drugs.

“These people first introduced him to weed, and I think because he was predisposed to having a mental illness, the weed brought on a schizophrenic disorder,” she said.

Things then took a turn for the worst when the parents discovered the boy had also been supplied with the drug ice.

Despite multiple attempts to connect her son with psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors, his behaviour became more aggressive and unpredictable.

“We told him we were not going to condone his drug use and said he couldn’t live in this house with his little brother anymore if he kept doing drugs, so he ran away,” she said.

He then dropped out of school, was homeless for five months, including on the day of his 15th birthday, occasionally slept on couches and continued to take drugs.

The mother said she filed a missing person’s report and contacted several services to help get her son back, but no one was able to assist.

“People have told me by the time he turns 25, he’ll wake up to himself, but he’s not going to live to the age of 25,” the mother said.

She discovered her son was living in central Queensland and travelled there to eventually bring him home.

During his first week home, the mother said her son was placed in an adult mental health ward for four days, where she alleged he broke a security officer’s leg.

The mother claims her son has not been charged for this offence, as well as other incidents involving break and enter, theft, shoplifting and possession.

She said because her son was still developing at the age he first used drugs, she believed the substances had caused him permanent damage.

A mother calls for mandatory rehab for teens on drugs. Thursday, February 17, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Calling on the state’s justice department to make rehabilitation mandatory for teenagers on drugs, the mother said she felt it was unlikely a young person experiencing substance abuse issues would voluntarily admit themselves into a facility.

“This isn’t about shaming my son – it’s about there being absolutely zero help for families in this space when it comes to dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse,” she said.

“He’s not the only child who will have their entire life impacted by the fact there is no mandatory rehab for people under the age of 18.

“There’s no chance of him recovering, and there’s no chance of him contributing to society in a meaningful way now – he’s not going to finish his education, he’s a danger to himself and others and had he been admitted to a facility at the age of 13, he could have had a future.

“I’m beyond mad that as a family the Government does not have any services available to help children, and I’m at a loss because there’s nothing that can be done now.”

The mother said she knew of many parents in the community going through a similar experience and believed many constituents would support mandatory rehabilitation or admission to a youth and drug facility centre.

A Department of Children Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs spokeswoman said the organisation was legally prevented from discussing individual cases.

“Breaking the cycle of crime and supporting young offenders with complex health and behaviours issues cannot be achieved through a single solution,” the spokeswoman said.

“We employ a range of responses to support young people who have come in contact with the youth justice system.

“The government is committed to giving Queensland courts the tools they need to consider sentencing based on a range of factors.”

A Toowoomba mum is at a loss after her teenaged son became addicted to meth.

Region’s health service comments on support options:

Support is available to young people and families facing challenges related to mental health and substance abuse.

A Darling Downs Health spokesman said several treatment options were available to people living in the region, including its Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Service (MHAODS), Teen Challenge, Lives Lived Well and Headspace.

“We are committed to helping young people overcome challenges caused by addiction and subsequent mental health issues,” the spokesman said.

“The Toowoomba Hospital-based MHAODS operates the Darling Downs Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS), which offers a free and confidential service specialising in the assessment and treatment of children and young people (aged) zero to 18 years, who are experiencing, or at risk of developing, severe and complex emotional, behavioural or mental health problems.”

Toowoomba, the South Burnett, Southern Downs and Western Downs regions have a CYMHS team.

“Our CYMHS teams are multidisciplinary, and typically consist of child and adolescent consultant psychiatrists, registered nurses, mental health workers, psychologists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, occupational therapists, trainee registrar psychiatrists and other doctors, dietitians, speech and language therapists, social workers and teachers and guidance counsellors,” the spokesman said.

“They offer a range of services tailored to the needs of the young person, their families and carers, including crisis intervention, inpatient support, mental health assessment, individual therapy, family intervention, group work, interagency consultation, and referral to other agencies.”

Sue Williams (left) and Drug ARM Toowoomba family support coordinator Tess Heming stood in front of the Victoria St bridge which lit up purple in recognition of overdose awareness, last year. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Support services:

Lifeline:

13 11 14

Kids Helpline:

1800 55 1800

Beyond Blue:

1300 22 46 36

Family and Child Connect:

13 32 64

Drug ARM family support co-ordinator Tess Heming:

0437 468 368

Drug ARM:

3620 8860

Sunrise Way:

4638 9091

Toowoomba Alcohol and Other Drugs Services:

4616 6100

Alcohol and Drugs Foundation:

1300 85 85 84

Youturn Youth Support:
4632 2802

Reconnect:

4614 6213

Headspace:

4639 9000

CatholicCare – Youth Bail Support Program:

1300 477 433

Legal Aid:
4639 1333

For emergencies please call triple-0.