Robyn Lewis, a reformed drug addict from West Wyalong, has addressed a prominent drug action group in Griffith on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Lewis is helping Griffith community groups learn how to best tackle growing drug problems in the MIA.
“My lived experience is the reason people want my help, because I can understand what they’re going through,” Ms Lewis told the group.
Ms Lewis was addicted to the methamphetamine drug Ice for 15 years, before turning herself around. She developed drug and alcohol problems early in life due to being raised in an abusive household.
She has been clean for 18 months, and is now giving seminars to help other addicts learn from her path to redemption.
Ms Lewis addressed the Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) on Wednesday, a group made up of Griffith City Council representatives and various social groups that meets on a monthly basis to address local drug and alcohol misuse or issues impacting the community.
“You tend to swap the bitch for the witch,” Ms Lewis told the group, explaining when someone gives up one harmful substance, they replace it with another one. Illegal drugs users, for example, can get hooked on prescription drugs.
This is why peer support and positive reinforcement is needed for those trying to overcome addiction.
Robyn turned the corner when her GP referred her to the group SMART Recovery, a free group program that assists people with any problematic behaviours, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, Internet and others.
The one time group participants is now a group leader.
“I wish I had found out about SMART Recovery ten year ago… but I’ve now formed the 251st SMART Recovery Group”.
Ms Lewis will lead group discussions at West Wyalong Aboriginal Land Council, every Tuesday 530pm to 7pm starting November 14.
SMART Recovery also has a group in Griffith which meets every Thursday from 1pm to 230pm at the Griffith Community Centre. It’s free of charge, and no appointment is needed.
For more information on the Community Drug Action Team, email Pat Cox on pcox@iinet.com.au