Course to help drug users' loved ones

Stepping Foward is a two-day course being run by Family Drug Support in conjunction with Nguumambiny Indigenous Corporation at the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre and the main goal of the program is to help keep families and communities together.

The FDS was founded almost 20 years ago by Tony Trimingham after the death of his son by heroin overdose. He found there was no support for the families of drug victims and set out to change it.

Nguumambiny manager Lynn Field met Mr Trimingham when he came to Dubbo last year and with the growing prevalence of ice, said she saw the value of the courses being offered in the city.

"Most of my clients are ice addicts and their families are impacted by the ice epidemic, for want of a better word, so that was the motivating factor in getting it here," Ms Field said.

FDS project officer Julie Clark said one of the biggest problems for families was the stigma and shame that surrounded drug and alcohol abuse.

"If you are going through divorce, the community understands that but if you have someone in your family who is using drugs, it can be a case of 'don't go there'," Ms Clark said.

"In Dubbo and the greater Western NSW, there is very little support for carers of drug users so that is where we are trying to help.

"We have specialised support and specialised courses which give families the chance to learn new skills, understand what is going on for the drug user and be able to survive their journey."

The course concludes today but the FDS and Nguumambiny are looking to offer a more intensive four-day course called Stepping Stones to Success and they could offer Stepping Forward again if there is sufficient demand.

For more information call Julie Clark on 0400 113 422.

The FDS also offers a 24-seven telephone support line that provides help and advice for those in need on 1300 368 186.