A report released today by the Australian Crime Commission outlines the harm that ice is doing to communities across Australia. In this article, an anonymous mother reveals the personal cost of the drug.

My son, who is 35 years of age, used to be a fun-loving man with a very friendly nature and an awesome sense of humour. Until he commenced using ice.

Over the past 12 months, I have witnessed his behaviour, appearance and his personality change, from the once fun-loving person who enjoyed life to a man who I don't seem to know anymore.

My son has always been work conscious and has always had a good work ethic, but this has declined rapidly recently. As a mother, I am struggling everyday with the unknown. The unknown of what today will bring for my son; the unknown for the tomorrow.

I have witnessed him becoming aggressive in the way he speaks and he now has an "I don't care" attitude. He is losing weight rapidly and doesn't seem to want to visit with his children from whom he is separated. Each night, before I go to sleep, I whisper prayers to keep my son safe and to give me some guidance in what I need to do to help him.

Read the Australian Crime Commission's report: The Australian methylamphetamine market.

My son's recent journey has cost me a lot. Not only in monetary value, paying for his bills that get left behind, but my own confidence has been shattered at times. I have never felt like giving up on him and will continue to support him wherever I can, but there has to come a time where I am going to have to play the role of tough love.

I know my son needs rehabilitation but to get him to see that he needs it is a different matter.

My role in my community is a counsellor, therefore I struggle with working with people that have presented with addictions and am tending to refer them on to another service so they can get the best quality service as I feel I can't give them the assistance they need at this particular time.

I would have never thought my son would fall victim to drugs because, as a child, we had the best time doing a lot of recreational fun activities, including involvement in sport and listening to music. He was very socially-active.

Now I see a man with no power and it breaks my heart.

This article was originally published by ABC Open. Read the original version.

It was written by a Circular Head, Tasmania mother who accesses services at Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC). CHAC has commenced a film project with Rural Health Tasmania and Circular Head Council to raise awareness about the impact of ice and other drug use in the local community.