Yarrawonga woman Alyssa Pawley should be commended for speaking frankly about her former addiction to the drug ice, hoping to help others avoid that fate. Becoming pregnant proved the catalyst for her to overcome her dependence and now she's "absolutely loving" her new life.

We wish her all the best, as do industry professionals like Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association executive officer Sam Biondo.

But he cautions us not to think only of illegal substances when considering the dangers of drugs.

"We need to come to terms with the fact most deaths from overdose come from chemist-dispensed products," he said.

"Historically we've been very bad at looking at the biggest killers, which are community approved substances like alcohol and pharmaceuticals."

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Mr Biondo said measures that could make a difference were controversial, but worked, for example safe injection rooms, reduced alcohol advertising and diverting people from prison to rehabilitation.

"We could also improve our pharmacotherapy and look at alternative therapies for people in pain," he added.

"Doctors could speak to their clients a bit longer rather than just prescribe a pill. We can improve the treatment system to make it much more accessible and remove the stigma which prevents people seeking treatment."

It's an uncomfortable truth that things we enjoy or find beneficial - a social drink with friends, a tablet to reduce pain - can cause great harm if misused.

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Far easier to condemn the more obvious problems, ones we read about in court stories, associated with illegal drugs.

But that attention can mask concerns closer to home and an unwillingness to be lumped together with offenders may discourage someone from seeking help.

As Ms Pawley points out, those struggling with addiction had to want to stop.

"I was looking for something to hold on to, to fight for," she said.

We're glad she found it, and hope others facing similar battles do too.

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