THE community will have the chance to connect and discuss addiction at an upcoming event facilitated by Shepparton’s drug and alcohol recovery facility, The Cottage.
The event will promote community connectedness with the topic of addiction and how to tackle this health issue and also delve into how families and the community as a whole can learn from those who have lived with addiction.
Attendees will hear from guest speaker, Maria Hutchison, who will launch her breathtakingly honest account of her child sex abuse, subsequent addictions and how she triumphed.
Guests will also hear from Professor Edward Ogden, a specialist in addiction medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and the Goulburn Valley Health Service locally.
The Cottage company secretary, Rob Bryant said, “Until we see addiction as a health issue and the underlying traumas of life are the cause, we as a society will remain stuck in fear of drugs. By hearing stories from and mixing with those with lived experience, we share our common humanity.
“Now the planning issues are out of the way, The Cottage is inviting the community to come together to celebrate and create the new pathways to connection, the opposite of addiction. Our event will allow the audience to ask questions of the guest speakers and to mingle with, listening to and appreciate stories of hope.”
The Cottage Connection event is free and will be held on Thursday, May 2 at The Connection, Midland Highway, Shepparton from 6pm, for a 6:30pm start. Register your attendance by emailing The Cottage at admin@thecottage.org.au or phoning Maria on 0438 053 507.
