FDS Insight Magazine Nov - Dec 2022

3 Leading up to the event, Tess organized the local newspaper The Toowoomba Chronicle to interview Tony. Tony’s story was shared far and wide within the community and highlighted the importance of support for families while they navigate their journey in supporting their loved ones. Voice FM also interviewed Tony prior to his visit which gave listeners in Toowoomba an introduction to FDS, offering locals a glimpse of our services and what we provide to support families and their communities. During launch week, Tony and the team met with the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AODS) unit at the Toowoomba Base Hospital. Tony educated their team on what FDS do and have done in communities for the past 25 years and discussed ways in which we could collaborate in the Darling Downs to wrap support around families affected by problematic drug use. FDS visit to Sunrise Way Tony facilitated the support meeting in Toowoomba which was attended by 30 families. Tony shared some of his personal journey and comforted the families by providing a safe, kind, non- judgmental space for them to be open about what life looks like for them. The support group is held at Sunrise Way each Tuesday fortnight. Next on our agenda was our visit to Sunrise Way Rehabilitation to meet with the staff and residents. Sunrise Way is located on the crest of the Great Dividing Range in Toowoomba and provides drug and alcohol rehabilitation to people 18 years of age and over. The team were invited into the facility for a tour by the staff and Tony captured the attention of the residents when he spoke to them at their leadership series about his experience, strength and hope. We were not stopping there; we also paid a visit to Teen Challenge New Life Rehabilitation Centre. Teen Challenge is based in a beautiful rural setting and has both a men’s and women’s centre. The team were treated to a tour of the centre and Tony again captured the attention of everyone he spoke with on his passion for supporting families. Our biggest day was on Thursday when Tony presented Support the Family – Improve the Outcome at the Toowoomba TAFE Lecture Theatre. This event was attended by over 75 people and another 30 watching the event live online. The event ran all day and the participants were provided with information and skills on how to better support families affected by drug and