A TAMWORTH mother has formed a new group in a bid to support others affected by ice addiction in their families.
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Tracey Filicietti is no stranger to the horrors and heartbreak of addiction, having watched her son go through it.
She has since resolved to make a change and do her part in stamping out the epidemic and is an active member of the city’s ice action group.
While she can’t bare to imagine how many families have been turned upside down by ice and drugs in the Tamworth community, she’s decided to create an awareness and support group for those going through what she went through with her family.
On Saturday, November 5, she’s asking those interested in joining the group to meet her at the Man-O-War gates at Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park at 1.30pm.
“I’m a member of the Tamworth Ice Action Group and of course we noticed there were a few flaws in our system and things needed to be addressed; such as education, rehabilitation and support,” Mrs Filicietti said.
“Because there is such a lack of support for family members, I feel we should start a support group in Tamworth affected by predominately ice, but also drugs in general.
“I am really passionate about it. I know what I went through with my family and because there is such a lack of family support services across the country, a support group is needed where like-minded people can talk.
“We need to break down the stigma and have a conversation in order to move forward.”
Mrs Filicietti said while she did not have any expertise on the issue, she had personal experience.
“I was never, ever comfortable and didn’t talk about it to anyone for a long time, but now I talk about it all the time,” she said.
“It really is a feeling of isolation and helplessness. I would hate to think how many families are going through the same thing.
“Where the system has failed, we can’t sit down and wait for the government bodies to do something, people need to try and help themselves as well,” said Mrs Filicietti.
