Donaghy Bronwyn - Annas Story

I had misgivings about this book when I heard that it was being written so soon after Annas death. About the rekindling of grief it would bring for her bereaved family. About the media hype it would again provoke about one young drug-related death among so many. But now, I am so glad that Bronwyn Donaghy has brought us this moving tribute to Annas short life and to her familys courage in sharing her story. Annas Story is current, thought-provoking, relevant, inspiring and very very sad.

Annas Story is about a marvellous young person, cruelly snatched from life in her nubile prime. It is a story of our time, told simply and powerfully by people who knew Anna well. And by Anna herself through her poems and letters. Surprisingly perhaps, there are no harsh judgements here. But anguish, heartache, pain, wry humour yes. Annas Story is about a beautiful young woman who should not have died. Not like this. Not from a single, whole ecstasy tablet.

Adolescent risk-taking, in particular drug use and abuse, has become very topical for parents. In discussions that I have from time to time with groups of parents, this subject always comes up, together with rising teenage suicide rates. As a source of major concern to parents, it overshadows even adolescent sexuality, probably because (as Bronwyn Donaghy explains) we are dealing with a new phenomenon. The prospect of modern, adolescent drug-taking is terrifying to us because we have so little understanding of it. But we do know that its extremely dangerous Annas untimely death has been like a punch to the communal gut in that regard.

The unedited draft of Annas Story arrived in a big envelope one weekday in mid-March. The following weekend, I couldnt put it down. Lying in bed, I was too moved to read it out loud. Annas Story is, after all, real life. Angela, Tony and Alice Wood are people we have come to know. We wonder, along with them, what they might have done differently. Why did this tragedy happen to them? Why couldnt it happen to us?

For me, the most important message that comes through in this poignant book is that we, as parents, urgently need to become empowered as advocates for our childrens safe behaviour. More effective than any academic report, Annas Story lifts the lid off teenage drug-taking and drug-peddling. It strips away the transparent glamour from rave/ecstasy parties and about even staying overnight at a friends place. It highlights the vexed issue of parental trust versus teenage freedom. These days, we do need to check things out. We need to ask questions and to clearly establish accountability, as best we can, in relation to our childrens actions and whereabouts.

But of course, even this does not provide a failsafe antidote to dangerous adolescent risk-taking. In any given situation, the decision-maker is the young person alone. For that reason, Annas Story is also for teenagers. Bronwyn Donaghy, herself a concerned parent, talks to kids directly in a chapter entitled Just for Kids. Its about poison! It asks provocative questions. It makes you think.

In a report on the Youth Forum, chaired by Alice Wood, kids speak out themselves on the issue of drug education. They ask to be heard and they want to take action. They ask for our support and they throw the challenge at our feet.

Finally, you should be aware that Annas Story is not a light read. It is intensely, often discomfortingly personal, as it needs to be. I warmly recommend this book to Australian parents and their teenage children. It could save the life of someone you love.

David Bennett AO MBBS FRACP FSAM
Head, NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health
The Childrens Hospital at Westmead