The devastated family of a man who died from a drug overdose is calling for Geelong to get its own safe injecting room.
Debby Brady has started an online petition in memory of her son Jye Vessey, who passed away in April after overdosing on heroin in a Corio Community Health Centre rest room.
Ms Brady said Australia needs to recognise illicit drug use as a national health problem.
“(Safe injecting rooms) deliver onsite healthcare and provide immediate medical care to an overdose (victim),” she said on the change.org website.
“Since opening on 30 June 2018 until December 2022, the staff at the Medically Supervised Injecting Service in North Richmond have safely managed more than 6,750 overdoses,” she pointed out.
Ms Brady said drug-induced deaths are second only to suicide as the leading cause of death in the 30-39 age group in Australia.
She said Jye had battled both addiction and schizophrenia for many years.
“Despite being a NDIS participant and being linked in with the community mental health teams, support was limited, as his case was too complex, and maintaining his health was never sustainable,” she said.
“He was not just an addict, he was a son, a brother, a father, a nephew, a friend.”
The petition calls on Member for Corio and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and Lara MP Ella George, to support her in her fight to secure a Medically Supervised Injecting Room in Geelong.
She pleaded with the local community to sign and share the petition “in loving memory of Jye”.
“For those reading this who have lost a loved one to an overdose, you are not alone, I know your pain, for those this story doesn’t resonate with, I hope it remains that way however that might not be the case, one day it could be your loved one, please help in the prevention.”
People wishing to sign the petition can do so here.
