A LOCAL ice addict has spoken of his descent into hell at the hands of the drug, issuing a chilling warning to would-be users – “it will ruin your life”.
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The 31-year-old Griffith man, who would only speak on the condition of anonymity, recounted how an innocent first dalliance with the powerful stimulant quickly led to a full-blown addiction.
It comes as local police and political aspirants crank up the pressure on the state government to provide more drug treatment services in the region.
The local addict said he first tried the drug with friends two-and-a-half years ago as he was struggling to deal with the death of his father and end of his marriage.
“At first it was great … I would smoke it on weekends and wake up fine the next day,” he said.
“But now I can’t get out of bed without it. I’m injecting it every day, I’ve lost 25 kilograms and all my family and friends have given up on me – even my son.”
As the drug’s vice-like grip over him intensified, the man became increasingly desperate to feed his addiction. He said it cost him $50 for a point (0.1 grams) and he was now injecting one gram a day.
“I’ve broken into houses, I’ve stolen from friends,” he said. “I’m not proud but I can’t do anything about it – nothing else matters. I know I need help but I can’t imagine life with ice … I don’t want to imagine it.”
He has been charged with driving while disqualified seven times and is currently on bail to appeal a 12 month prison sentence.
The ice, he said, gave him a feeling of confidence and energy.
“I can be cleaning my house and it’s like the best fun I’ve ever had,” he said.
“It just gives you so much energy and makes you so happy.”
But the euphoric high has a sting in the tale.
"If I don't have it I can't get out of bed,” he said. “And government regulations have made it harder for manufacturers to get their hands of pseudoephedrine, so they’re cutting it with all sorts of junk that makes you sweat like mad.”
On top of losing weight, his body is pockmarked with holes and itchy scabs, and most of his teeth have been reduced to rotting stumps.
A recent report revealed amphetamine use had risen a dramatic 180 per cent in regional cities. Calvary Riverina Drug and Alcohol Centre manager Brendan McCorry this week said ice was now rivalling alcohol as the main drug people were seeking treatment for.
