Tough love for drug abusers [Letter to the editor]

Northam – Acquiring drugs in our town is easier than buying eggs at a shop. Cat and meth users are everywhere, and every second household is growing a cannabis tree.

I have more than one family member that has fallen victim to drug abuse. They have lived on the streets and have been to rehab more times that I can remember. I can tell you – it tears families apart.
In the end, we should stop enabling them and practice tough love. We too often say: “But it’s my child or it’s my brother.” If you really love them, you can help them by setting boundaries.

Stop making excuses for them or bailing them out of trouble. Never give them cash or let them use your credit cards. Make sure that you establish a curfew and house rules because you can’t allow them the dictate your schedule.

We all have choices and they have made theirs. It breaks my heart, but I know that I have done everything I possibly could to help them stay clean.

I would encourage other families out there that the moment you suspect something, to get help. In my experience, the longer they are addicted the more they struggle to stop. Educate yourself on the signs of substance abuse and look out for them. All it takes is one shot to get addicted – so please be vigilant – it can happen to anyone.

Family man torn apart

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