A CANCER-RIDDLED Ashmont woman who was robbed of precious heirlooms by thieves masquerading as good Samaritans has finally caught a break.
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Joan Rowles, unsure whether she has “one day, one week or one year” to live, was overcome with emotion when her grandmother's rosary beads and mother's crosses were returned late last week.
The bone cancer sufferer did everything in her power to retrieve her belongings – even posting The Daily Advertiser’s report of the theft to shop windows and telephone poles.
But the handover didn’t come without issues.
“They offered me an ultimatum and said they might give it back if I offered them a reward,” she said.
“A few days later they returned my wallet and my jewellery and said they found it down in a gully – but it had been raining and the wallet was unscathed.
“I’m absolutely grateful to have my priceless beads and crosses back, but it’s disappointing that my money has been taken.”
The ailing woman, who is still weak from a course of radiation treatment, accidentally took the wrong medication early last week which caused her to pass out.
When Ms Rowles’ sister found her slumped on the floor she called for help, but the passers-by who rushed to her aide allegedly stole the family heirlooms, along with $1000 cash and prescription medication.
Ms Rowles believes she was targeted by thieves once word of her painkiller prescription for OxyContin had spread throughout the neighbourhood.
“I've been through hell, people have been knocking at my door at 2am and 3am asking to buy my medication,” Ms Rowles said.
“It’s got to the point my family and friends have asked if I am a drug dealer, it’s just horrible.”
Abuse of OxyContin, dubbed “hillbilly heroin”, was labelled an “emerging epidemic” by Wagga health authorities back in June after the medication caused a string of deaths.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) drug and alcohol clinical director Dr Gilbert Whitton said Wagga’s opioid abuse has worsened.
“The problem we're seeing is that some patients who don't have cancer or acute pain are prescribed these opiates.
“And while there is a legitimate use, there is also an illicit market where people are buying and selling them like they might heroin and amphetamines.”
It is believed to be 50 times more potent than heroin.
