Seventeen-year-old Helena* had a difficult upbringing.
Her mum struggled with substance abuse and was prone to verbally abusive rages.
The conflict in Helena’s home intensified after her parents separated.
“Mum would always put me down, telling me that I was no good,” Helena remembers.
“All the while, with Dad gone, I was taking care of everything in the house – including all of the cooking, washing and cleaning.”
Helena didn’t know how to tell anyone about the problems at home. Instead, she started lashing out and her behaviour became impossible for the teachers at school to manage.
“I took my anger and depression out on other people,” Helena explains.
“I was kicked out of lots of schools. Then, after I lost my job, I thought, ‘What’s the point in even trying?’ and just gave up.”
“I just felt like no one cared.”
Eventually, Helena fled home to escape the abuse. But without a school or job to return to, she began using cannabis and methamphetamine almost every day.
“Two years ago, I started breaking the law,” Helena says.
“When the police caught me stealing, I faced charges and I was consumed with depression and anxiety.”
“It wasn’t how I wanted to live, but I didn’t know how to get out.”
Dunlea Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Service: A way forward
Thankfully, the magistrate realised the magnitude of Helena’s struggles, and referred her to Dunlea Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Service.
Operated by Youth Off The Streets, the Dunlea program helps young people aged 12–24 take control of their drug use and address the root causes.
Young people from across Western Sydney are able to access the program. They receive ongoing casework, family casework that equips close relatives with the knowledge and skills required to support the young person and access to an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) counsellor.
I was trying to numb something that was quiet” – Jacob overcomes his dependence on substances
Dunlea also delivers school-based psychoeducation programs that reduce AOD-related harm and links young people to other support services related to mental health, legal support, education, employment and much more.
“All of a sudden, I had all this support that I never had before,” Helena says of her comprehensive initial assessment at Dunlea.
“The people actually cared about me and gave me options to get my life back on track.”
For Helena, the most essential service that Dunlea provided was AOD counselling.
“The counsellor gave me all this support and guidance, which helped me to stop using drugs,” Helena says.
“That was a big step for me, because I never thought I could get away from that life.”
The Dunlea counsellor encouraged Helena to finish her education. Thanks to their support, she was able to enrol in a school that recognised her specific needs and previous hardships and set her up for long-term success.
“I am so much happier and more positive after going back to school,” Helena affirms.
“I feel fully supported by the students and teachers too – like I am finally part of the family.”
Helena is no longer homeless either. With support from Youth Off The Streets, she has found affordable, stable accommodation.
Little by little, she is rebuilding her relationship with her parents.
Her anxiety and depression have lessened as well – and, because of Youth Off The Streets, she has a strong support network on which she can rely.
“It’s been tough, but Youth Off The Streets has gotten my life back on track,” Helena says of her current circumstances.
“Things have been getting better ever since.”
As for the AOD team at Youth Off The Streets, Helena has one message that she wants to share.
“I cannot say thank you enough to the staff for all of the help you have given me,” she says.
“You have truly turned my life around.”
To learn more about Youth Off The Streets’ Dunlea AOD Service, click here.
