Inverell clinical psychologist Jamie Marshall said local substance abuse is significant, and may point to deficits in local health services.

“The abuse of alcohol and other drugs seems to be a particularly big issue for rural communities generally, not just Inverell,” he said.

“It may be indicative of a lack of mental health resources for people in rural areas.”

Mr Marshall said Inverell currently has limited access to a visiting psychiatrist from Armidale, and people may need to travel to a capital city in order to see a psychiatrist in a short timeframe.

Drug and alcohol experts agree lifting the stigma from substance abuse and tailoring the approach to the individual is critical to aid those in crisis, but there are no rehabilitation services in Inverell.

Derek Boney and Michael Duncan are part of Inverell’s Armajun Aboriginal Health Service drug and alcohol team. 

The Inverell Community Health clinic has a visiting drug counsellor and nurse on staff, but the Armajun team is the only Inverell service offering round-the-clock assistance.

They also work with people in Warialda, Glen Innes, Ashford and Tenterfield.

The team is funded to work in co-operation with individuals in the Aboriginal community, but Mr Boney said if he was given the chance, he would gladly expand their client base.

“I’d like to work with the wider community. Drugs don’t discriminate. But that’s just the way the funding body is,” he said.

The team meets with people who are seeking a change. The team member assesses the client, and assures complete confidentiality. 

They offer 24-hour availability to their clients, and their families to build healing and resilience.

The team have no personal agendas when it comes to their clients.

“One thing I say to them is ‘What do you want me to do? Not me saying, ‘You’ve got to do this, and you’ve got to do this’,” Mr Boney said.

“(Instead), ‘What do you want me to do?’ Then, I’ll give them options.”

The team members stressed though a family member may come in for help with a relative or child, they can only act if the person in question gives consent. They agreed it is often hard for families to understand, but they must respect a person’s decision.

“Leaves us hoping, and this young person just doesn’t want to change. He’s quite happy doing what he’s doing. And it’s hard,” Mr Boney said.

“But we have been getting people coming in for self-referrals, so they’re wanting to make a change. That’s a good thing,” Mr Duncan added.

Mr Marshall agreed individualising the approach to addiction recovery is vital.

“The issues behind addiction vary from person to person, and this is too complex an issue to offer much insight here,” he explained.

“However, any of the following may be involved for different individuals: genetics, personality, self-esteem, lack of insight, isolation, suicidal ideation … the list goes on.”

Nicole Lee is an associate professor with Flinders University, and specialises in the study of methamphetamine users. 

She said removing the stigma from drug use is imperative to encourage users to take a step toward change.

“One of the consequences of demonising drug use, and particularly at the moment, crystal meth use, is that it marginalises those people who use,” she said.

“And then they’re much less likely to seek help until well into their using career, and we don’t want that.

“We want people, if they’re getting into trouble, to come in early for treatment. 

“We know that early intervention is better; it’s much more successful treating someone early, than it is when they’re really, really entrenched in drug using.”

Locally, the work is hard, and demanding. 

For any drug and alcohol support worker, it can seem relentless. But Mr Boney said he wouldn’t be in it if it wasn’t rewarding.

“Being honest, it’s a (really) hard job, but I love it,” he said.

“Do I think we made a change? Yeah. Oh yeah.”

nPublic services assisting those and families looking for a way to healing from addiction in Inverell include the HNEH Community Health (6721 9600/1 300 660 059), Armajun Aboriginal Health Services (6721 9777), Anglicare (6722 2766).

Benevolent Society (6721 6000), Centacare (6721 6400) and Pathfinders (6771 1527).