Vireak / Confit Mentor's Story

Growing up in Cabramatta, I was surrounded by a life that many can't even imagine. If you do the research on back in the eighties and nineties it was rooted with a lot of heroin, a lot of crime, a lot of gangs. This environment, it shaped me, but it also trapped me.

My descent into crime wasn't something I'm proud of, but it felt like the only way to survive at the time. I from women's refugee to women's refugee with Mum being a prolific drug dealer back in those days. I probably started using Heroin when I was 14 and as it was all around me and a way to move past some of my dark feelings. It was a hard life, filled with constant challenges and few escapes. As I grew older I started to find ways to support my habits, so I started selling drugs.

The struggle with addiction is hard to describe unless you've been through it. I felt like I was constantly going round in circles, feeling like there might be a chance to stop but the tug of the drugs being too strong. But what I tell the boys is, don't stop trying to stop. There's bad habits but when you give up that's when it consumes you. That was my reality, a cycle of addiction that seemed never-ending.

My time in youth detention and prison was a harsh reality check. It was there I faced the consequences of my actions head-on. The cold bars and the isolation from the outside world made me reflect on my life choices. It's a part of my life that I don't look back on fondly, but it was a crucial step in my journey towards change. The days and nights I spent there were filled with introspection and a growing resolve to turn my life around. Its funny though, I don’t think the punishment was the thing that turned me around, it was getting over this lifestyle of drug addiction and constantly chasing that forced my hand. I was just over it!

I chose to make a change...in my head I was just set for failure. From my teachers, to my family, to my community, the only think I saw, heard and felt was that Vic is loser. I believed that for a long time but in changing my mindset came changing my health, wellbeing and a new life.

Talking about my family, especially my relationship with my mom and brother…it's complex. My mom, who was involved in running drugs, and I, we've come a long way. We've learned to rebuild our lives, leaving behind the crime and drugs. My brother, however, is a different story. My brother's still in jail. He's been in and out of jail. So I use my brother as part of the stories that I tell the boys, because I chose to make a change and he just kept on doing the same thing over and over again. It's tough to talk about, but it's a reality that shapes my message to the kids I mentor.

It is really tough to tell this story. But, when I share my story, I see the impact it has. My story is going to impact a lot more lives than it would just burning it inside me. People will always judge you, no matter what and that will continue to be tough tough, but trying. Sharing my journey, it's not just about me. It's about helping others see that change is possible, no matter where you come from.