FDS Insight Magazine Jun - Sep 2023

11 Attendees heard from our many keynote speakers who shared their experiences and insights in relation to this year’s IFDSD theme ‘Support the Family - Improve the Outcome’ and sub-theme, ‘Harm Reduction Keeps People Safe.’ Our keynote speakers included: • Tony Trimingham OAM, Founder of Family Drug Support. • David Kelly, Programs Director at Odyssey House. • Dr Amanda Clarke, Senior Program Officer, Offender Programs and Services, Corrective Services NSW (who delivered her presentation via video link). • Ms Cate Faehrmann MLC, Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House) and the Greens spokesperson for drug law reform & harm reduction. Lived Experience Speakers: • Family member – mother’s perspective, Mary • Family member – sibling perspective, Gillian Trimingham • Family member – sibling perspective, Renee Vincent • Lived Experience, personal address – Cigdem Watson Tony spoke movingly about the work of Family Drug Support and the history of the drug law reform movement in Australia. His daughter, Gillian, has clearly inherited his impressive public speaking skills and there were not many dry eyes left in the room as she talked about losing her brother to a heroin overdose and her memories of him and how his presence has been missed throughout her life. Renee Vincent spoke about her experience supporting her brother who has a dependence on alcohol and the importance of providing non- stigmatising support. David Kelly and Cigdem Watson both spoke about their own personal journeys through substance dependence and recovery and how they have used their experiences to help others. David also talked about Odyssey’s new family rehabilitation centre in Campbelltown. It is one of only a handful of rehabilitation centres in Australia that allow men and women to undertake treatment whilst their children (0-12 years) live with them. Cate Faehrmann MLC , gave a rousing speech about the need for drug law reform including decriminalisation, pill testing, etc and the need to push Labor, if elected, to deliver on their promise of a drug summit and to ensure that the recommendations from this are implemented. Mary spoke about losing her son to an overdose and the suffering she has endured recently as her daughter has relapsed into ice addiction. She talked about how much Family Drug Support has helped her to remember the importance of taking care of herself, of having healthy boundaries and of being a positive role model for her daughter and grandchildren. She said that having a loved one with a drug problem is like