| A
HEROIN VICTIM'S parents have told of the jail fears
that stopped them calling police when their son took
an overdose. Rod and Tricia Bertram believed if they
called police and their son Ken was found alive but
with heroin he could face jail.
Ken,
26, became the state's 202nd heroin victim for 1999
when police found him dead in his Moorabbin flat late
last Monday night. Mr and Mrs Bertram have called
for the decriminalisation of heroin use to save the
lives of other addicts like Ken. During Ken's eight-year
war with drugs, his parents resisted seeking help
from authorities for fear he would be punished.
Mrs
Bertram said, `If heroin had been decriminalised we
would have gone out there then when he was still alive
and there was still a chance to save him, and spoken
out about it.' The Highett couple have spoken publicly
about Ken's death through the Herald Sun to urge the
government to decriminalise heroin use and allow safe
injecting rooms. `I have this real need for Ken's
life not to be wasted,' Mrs Bertram said. `We can't
save Ken's life but we want to do all we can to contribute
to saving the lives of other young people.'
Ken
worked as a graphic designer. Talented in art and
music, he was studying computer animation and had
started his own business. He financed his drug habit
through his wages and by hocking his possessions.
Eight
years ago, Mr and Mrs Bertram believed a loving home
and good upbringing would prevent a child turning
to drugs. `Ken was loved immeasurably.' The couple
believe drug dealers are the criminals, not the addicts.
`To decriminalise it will give addicts and their families
more of a sense of safety in asking for help.' Mrs
Bertram said. His parents believe Ken set out to take
his own life but at the last moment changed his mind
and tried his mobile phone to call for help. Ken told
his parents of his drug addiction just before his
21st birthday.
The
couple urges other parents with children who are addicts
to speak honestly, treat the addiction
|
