By Amy Wilson-Chapman, Fremantle-Cockburn Gazette
AFTER having admitted her daughter to Fremantle Hospital due to a drug-induced psychotic episode a few weeks ago, a local mother is warning parents that it could happen to anybody.
Despite discussing issues at the dinner table and sending her daughter to a private school with a “zero tolerance” policy to drugs, the Hamilton Hill mother said she has had to stand by as her daughter waits to get into a drug rehabilitation program and attempts to stay clean.
“We thought we were going to give them the best start in life possible, because that’s going to set them up,” she said.
“I think every parent thinks that. But, I don’t think there is anything you can do at the end of the day; it can just happen to anyone, no matter where they live, or what school they go to.”
One of the biggest problems, from her experience, was that the effects of the drug use were “gradual” – slowly she had more erratic mood swings, her physical appearance, sleeping and eating habits changed.
Another problem, she said, was that her daughter would try to hide her use from her.
“It’s not what you think, that it’s like your child comes in and all of a sudden it’s, ‘oh my god they’re using drugs’… If your children are using, they’re going to hide it from you.”
Instead, she watched her daughter from a distance, monitoring her changes and trying not to be too invasive.
She would search her daughter’s purse, car, room looking for evidence of how frequently she was using.
After learning about her daughter’s habit in December, she headed to Headspace in Fremantle which she said was a wealth of support and information, especially during her daughter’s psychotic episode.
“If you suspect at all that your child is using, seek advice. There’s a whole network out there,” she said.
- Local residents and their families affected by drugs can contact Headspace on 9335 6333.