Bid to save drug program
TIMP needs funding
A drug support program that organisers believe has saved hundreds of lives could be forced to close its doors if it does not receive funding.
The Ice Meltdown Project in Drouin will be facing D-day by the end of June without funds to continue its addiction support program.
TIMP founder Janice Ablett and secretary Megan Waddell are devastated.
“What price do you put on a life,” Janice said.
It is 18 months since TIMP’s proposal to establish a drug addiction support centre at the former Athlone Primary School was refused by Baw Baw Shire Council.
A business person donated office space to TIMP earlier this year, giving them a lifeline of hope that a centre would be found to operate ongoing support programs for clients.
TIMP is also now recognised by the court system, Department Human Services and corrections staff who refer people in the court system to TIMP for its rehabilitation and support programs.
But, without an injection of funds, the program now faces its biggest hurdle – possible closure. By June 30, Janice and Megan expect there will be only enough funds remaining to deliver the program to clients who have already registered and began their treatment.
Aside from seeing through their commitment to those clients, they face the frightening reality of shutting down the program for six months in the hope they can source other options.
Janice said the state government had injected $2.9 million into 74 ice and drug addiction programs across the state. But, she said TIMP “doesn’t tick the boxes.”
From p1 She said government funds were directed into harm minimisation rather than the abstinence philosophy of TIMP.
Janice said $106,000 per year would deliver the program to 50 participants each year. Participants pay only $250 to cover urine testing throughout the six month program and some minor administration fees.
“What price do you put on a person’s life. $106,000 is a low price to pay to save 50 people’s lives.
“Sadly, we are facing the reality that this program is coming to an end, yet this week we have had 10 new clients come to us for help,” Janice said.
“This program is making a difference to people’s lives. We believe in what we are doing and we don’t want to change that just to tick boxes on funding applications. We believe in our values,” Megan said.
In the past five years TIMP has had hundreds of people walk through its doors seeking help. They have recorded a 69 per cent success rate of clients who remain clean two years after the program.
The unique philosophy of TIMP is to provide a support program is based on love, care and believing in someone rather than harm minimisation.
Janice and Megan volunteered for two years while working their own nursing jobs to get TIMP up and running and then a $100,000 AMP grant brought their vision to a reality.
“Our aim with TIMP is to understand people for who they are. You have to step into their circle and work with them, don’t expect them to step into your circle,” she said.
Janice believes the success of TIMP is largely because clients work through their recovery with herself and Bunyip GP John O’Donoghue, from beginning to end, rather than being handballed constantly between medical and support agencies.
One of the biggest rewards for Janice and Megan is hearing parents say “thank you for giving us back our son/daughter.”
Megan said it was frustrating that so many politicians had personally acknowledged the work of TIMP, particularly after Janice was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day.
But, Megan said, the interest and support had not converted to dollars.
“They know about the program but we can’t get any money.
“We have put our heart and soul into it, but what do we do…we can’t work for nothing.
“This is our blood, sweat and tears and the community could lose it,” Megan said.
Janice said she was angry that a successful community program that families were turning to for help may be lost because the program was different to mainstream drug support programs.
“And we have community people walking around hanging their heads in shame and won’t acknowledge what we are doing.
“The sad thing is, these people we have helped will be lost back into the system if we close,” Janice said.
A family’s story of how TIMP helped them - p5