"Family Drug Support"

My story begins back in 2011 whereupon I sought help from Lives Lived Well (then Gold Coast Drug Council); for my teenage grandchild & their struggles with their parents' drug use, family issues & other substance abuse, including their own.

Tracey, from the YODA (Youth outreach Drug Alcohol) Program, came on board to help support my grandchild, myself & family.

Over the past several years, Tracey, now coordinating the Coomera Healthy Living for Youth (CHLY) Program; has remained a constant source of support to my grandchild & myself, providing me also with referrals to a variety of Family Support Programs and enabling me to provide the support needed to both my grandchild and their four younger siblings, now also residing in my care.

Tracey has provided sessions engaging my grandchild with professional 1: 1 counselling, support & referrals, on & off, over these years and has been our 'rock'. My grandchild has built a strong rapport with Tracey and a deep trust in and respect for her which has enabled my grandchild to complete a detox program this year. My grandchild currently remains abstinent from illicit substance use and is working towards completing a 12 months Diploma course.

I appreciate that Tracey makes herself available to me whenever I contact her as I value her input especially when involving substance issues.

I would like to thank Lives Lived Well for providing this free of charge service which has been a lifeline to me over these difficult years and has provided me with hope for the future.