My name is Simon Thomas - a father of three boys. I’m writing to you as I’m terrified of my eldest son’s drug problem. I’m desperate now.

5 years ago my son, his name is Rhys, started hanging around skateboard parks and started to smoke weed and drink alcohol. Now he’s on the street, addicted to meth and wasting away.

It rips me up - he’s a danger to himself and the public. Yet current laws don’t allow me to force him into rehab. If he was two years younger I’d be able to get him help, but because he’s 20 now, I’m powerless.

Medical experts and police say Queensland has a drug and ICE epidemic. We can’t just focus on punishing ICE related crimes, but need to stop the problem in the first place. But until I am able to legally force my son into rehab, how can I protect my family and others from his erratic behaviour?

Only recently the police called me - Rhys had been caught with ICE and was on his way to hospital after overdosing on codeine and sleeping pills. I pleaded with the hospital to keep him until I could find rehab - they refused. I was told to go home and light a candle.

But he’s psychotic - being drawn deeper into ICE. I've tried countless times to talk to Rhys - sending information about institutes where he can go but he refuses, the drug is now in control. There needs to be a law that gives parents the right to make the decision on behalf of children addicted to drugs - I need the power to be able to force him into rehab myself.

The fact I can’t is dangerous. Please sign my petition to the Federal Government, calling on them to allow parents of kids with threatening drug addictions to force them into help.

Parents like me can’t keep waiting for our kids to die as the solution. I thank you for taking the time to read my story.