FROM METH TO FATHERHOOD AND MARRIAGE

BY CHEZ COULTHARD

This podcast and article are part of Ngaarda Media’s new series, ‘Ngaarbies is Not Our Culture’. Listen or read below.

Ngarbies, otherwise known as the drug ice, is commonly used around Australia and has been rampant in the Pilbara for years.

Local Roebourne resident and Yindjibarndi man Fabian Cheedy has struggled with ice addiction, but with the support of his family, Mr Cheedy was able to overcome his addiction to ngarbies.

Now, he is opening up about his experience in the hope of helping someone else who is struggling. 

Mr Cheedy said he started using ngarbies as a way to “escape life”.

“I wasn't doing anything in life and I felt like I didn't have anything going for myself,” he told Ngaarda Media’s Chez Coulthard.

“I felt like ice was the best thing for me then. So I just turned to it everyday, and I pushed the weed aside. It became my main drug and I was looking for it nearly every day. 

“Sometimes we only wouldn't have it for two days then we're back on for a couple of weeks.

“One time I was on it, I didn't sleep for two weeks. That's how bad we was doing it, because we had a bad addiction.

“When I was on it, I was doing it with my brothers every day. My blood brothers, my yalboos, you know, your family. Everyone does it.”

Fabian Cheedy. Credit: Tangiora Hinaki

Mr Cheedy said he started using because he saw others around him doing so, and thought it musn’t be such a big deal.

After hitting rock bottom, Mr Cheedy turned his life around. He’s now happy to be clean and to have overcome his addiction.

‘From the time I decided to give up, I didn't relapse once and I've been clean from Ngarbies now since 2019,  so four years now.

“A lot of people relapse and say ‘oh, you're gonna relapse for once’, he said.

“I'm just surprised by how strong I am, I haven't relapsed. You know people have arguments with their partners and run away to have it.”

Mr Cheedy said he’s no longer tempted by drugs and is able to stay clean.

“It's all about building your mental health really strong,” he said.

“If you build your brain up mentally strong then you can say no to anything.  You can do anything.”

Mr Cheedy is a devoted husband and loving father of two daughters.

“Having my partner ,and then kids, you're not just doing it for you… You want to be around when they're old.”

Mr Cheedy’s advice to others who might find themselves confronted by ngaarbies addiction is: “Just say ‘no’ if you get offered. It's not worth it in the long run.”

In Mr Cheedy’s case, his family helped him to overcome ice addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an ice addiction, you can always find support.

Call:

Pilbara Alcohol and Drug Services on 1800 948 001

This is the first installment for the podcast called

‘Ngarbies is Not Our Culture’.