ELDERS CALL FOR ACTION ON DRUG HARM IN MOORA AND REGIONAL WA

By Renata Kelly and Tangiora Hinaki.

Elders in Moora say drug use is damaging families and tearing apart their community. After meeting with 24 elders in person and online, the local Aboriginal Corporation heard clear concerns. Drugs were named among the top three issues facing families. Elders asked the organisation to speak out and get the message across: “We’ve had enough.”

Chairperson Gail Beck said elders are frustrated by the impact drugs are having on their people and want Aboriginal sellers to stop targeting their communities. “They’re saying, don’t sell it to your mob, and be strong enough to dob in the people bringing it in — even if they’re your own family,” she said.

In Moora, the fallout from addiction includes elder abuse, financial hardship, family breakdown, and violence. There are no local services focused on mental health or drug support. Most help comes from outside the town, and only for short periods. “This isn’t just a Moora problem. It’s happening across the state — and not just in Aboriginal communities,” Beck said. “But our elders have had enough. They’re tired of watching their families suffer.”

Elders say the next step should be funding Aboriginal medical and community services to provide proper support in this space. “Aboriginal people helping Aboriginal people makes sense,” Beck said. “But if that’s not an option, other organisations must hire and train local staff. The services aren’t there, but the solutions are — the people holding the purse strings need to listen.”

Click on the link below to listen to the full interview.