Matt Noffs, author of 'Breaking The Ice' has been announced as a speaker at the upcoming Byron Writers Festival in August.
A member of the Noff's Foundation, Matt is passionate about the youth of Australia and their involvement with dangerous drugs. His book 'Breaking The Ice' contributes to the nationwide conversation about ice, and how it can be dealt with by parents, friends and relatives.
Here, Matt pens an open letter to his children.
"Darlings,
When you finally read this, some 10 years from now, you’ll both be teenagers. This is about the time when parents give their kids the “Just Say No” speech on drugs but I’m not going to do that.
Why? Because after decades of working to help kids come off drugs like ice, I know “Just Say No” is just plain ridiculous.
Do I want you trying drugs? No. But will you? As the statistics tell us - most probably.
So how can I and all the other parents in this boat with me ensure that you and your generation remain safe? I’m going to try the one thing that I know works better than scare campaigns, outdated laws, and the so-called “War on Drugs.” It will certainly help more than false (but un-ethically entertaining) stories about ice zombies storming our cities like an episode of 'The Walking Dead'.
The one thing that I know that works is speaking truthfully to you.
In doing so, I hope that we can all talk openly and honestly and that you will always tell me if you’re in trouble so that I can help. I trust you both. Love Dad x"
- Matt Noffs
When you finally read this, some 10 years from now, you’ll both be teenagers. This is about the time when parents give their kids the “Just Say No” speech on drugs but I’m not going to do that.
Why? Because after decades of working to help kids come off drugs like ice, I know “Just Say No” is just plain ridiculous.
Do I want you trying drugs? No. But will you? As the statistics tell us - most probably.
So how can I and all the other parents in this boat with me ensure that you and your generation remain safe? I’m going to try the one thing that I know works better than scare campaigns, outdated laws, and the so-called “War on Drugs.” It will certainly help more than false (but un-ethically entertaining) stories about ice zombies storming our cities like an episode of 'The Walking Dead'.
The one thing that I know that works is speaking truthfully to you.
In doing so, I hope that we can all talk openly and honestly and that you will always tell me if you’re in trouble so that I can help. I trust you both. Love Dad x"
- Matt Noffs
The Byron Writers Fest will be held at Elements of Byron 5-7 August.
