By Charmaine Austin, Staff ReporterHELP 'DANNY Germs'. Make him a role model even. This is the charge by Oliver Austin, the younger brother of fallen Jamaica and former West Indies all-rounder Richard Austin.
"Rehabilitation starts with one's self but people like 'Danny' also need help from people in order to help themselves. I give him everything he needs, except money. I encourage him to come home and I make sure that I go out and get him," said Oliver, who shares a four-bedroom house in Mona with his brother.
"Hell, I'll even give him the BMW right there or the Volvo but he needs to show that he really needs to stop doing what he's doing and take charge of his life."
Richard Austin, 48, has for the past 20 years been plagued by mental problems and a cocaine habit. He roams the streets on a daily basis and, in recent times, joined the throng of miscreants in the Cross Roads area.
NEVER VIOLENT
Crazed, but never violent.
Desperate, but never ignorant of what he is doing.
An empty shell of a man who is ironically still full of hope.
He recently made an open plea for help stating he can help the sport of cricket in Jamaica.
Richard and Oliver are of the same parents and the latter says he would hate to see his brother waste the way their father did.
"Our father was an alcoholic and that's what killed him. I don't want to see my brother end up like that but I can do so much and no more. He's a superstar so he doesn't need to steal to maintain his habit but I fear for the day when he has to resort to that.
"These situations almost always end up bad. I still haven't found a good programme to cater for him but my main interest right now is to save his life," Oliver added.
GUN CHARGE
'Danny Germs', as the elder Austin is known in sporting circles, has already had a brush with the law.
In 1999, he pleaded guilty in the Gun Court to illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was given a two-year suspended sentence.
Police had held him with 13 9mm cartridges in Papine and later found a gun said to be linked to him.
'Danny Germs' admitted to the charges, but stated that although they included shooting with intent, said he never shot anyone.
"I only got the gun to protect myself but I never used it. Some guys wanted to take away my $500 and it was to defend myself and my money. Right now, I make enough to eat so I couldn't allow anyone to come take it just like that," the former sports allrounder said.
COCAINE HABIT
Oliver said he first found out about his brother's habit while in High school but felt helpless because he did not know what cocaine was and how dangerous it is.
"I walked in on him messing around with it right here in this house. I asked him what it was and he told me. It was later on that I learnt what it really was. The good thing was he even encouraged me to stay away from it," Oliver said.
"I think it was being rich and famous that got to his head and he couldn't deal with all the pressure. Unlike me, God has blessed Danny with a lot of talent. He was an all-rounder in football, basketball and cricket and I would love to see him at least impart some of this knowledge in a positive way," he said.
ROLE MODEL
Oliver believes his brother could be an excellent role model if provided with proper assistance and given a chance to clean up his act.
"He could be a motivational speaker. Who better to speak on issues like this but people who have been there. He's the best person for something like that. He knows the game. He loves the game and he wants the best for the sport.
"We can't blame anyone for his problem but it would be nice if the government, for example, could have a good programme to help him and others. Things like this mash up family life and it has hurt ours but, like I said, only he can really deal with it."
While overseas, Oliver enrolled in a drug-counselling programme and armed himself with a certificate and knowledge to help his brother and others like him.
BIG FAN
Leo O'Reggio is another individual who contributes to Richard's well-being by giving him food and clothing.
O'Reggio, a music producer and communication officer at the National Family Planning Board, agreed with Oliver in saying that only Richard can help himself.
"I was a big fan of 'Danny Germs' from Arnett Gardens days when he was a big footballer and cricketer. He was my idol, so the least I can do is check in with him from time to time and see that he's okay. He's talented and sensible and has a good reasoning ability, especially about sports.
"I can always hold a decent conversation with him. I appeal with him to get help sometimes but it is really his problem and only he can deal with it," O'Reggio said.
