‘We want everyone to know, recovery can and does happen’
Tim Murphy, Co-ordinator TASP; Grace Hill, TDATF co-ordinator, and Pavel Deka, service user TASP and winner of a local photography competition to mark Recovery Month

‘We want everyone to know, recovery can and does happen’

THE emergence of a strong recovery community in Tallaght and the service providers who make recovery possible was put in the picture during September.

Recovery Month is observed globally each September, with communities in Tallaght this year promoting the supports, services, and recovery stories from within local estates.

Niamh McGuinness, Senior Development Officer with the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) told The Echo: “The aim of Recovery Month is to promote the emergence of a strong, proud recovery community and the dedication of service providers across our communities who make recovery possible and accessible to all.”

She added: “Drug and alcohol use is prevalent in our communities in Tallaght.

“If a person develops problems because of drug and alcohol use or becomes dependent on them, we want them to know that there is help available.

“We want everyone to know, recovery can and does happen…every day.”

The message that ‘recovery is for everyone, every person, every family, every community’ was promoted throughout September and through a series of events.

Locally, Recovery Month celebrations included a purple balloon-release by WASP (Whitechurch Addiction Support Programme) to offer hope to those still on their journey to recovery.

CARP (Community Addiction Response Programme) in Killinarden decorated their building purple, the colour of Recovery Month, to celebrate and promote recovery.

The Barnardos Lorien Project in Tallaght hosted a coffee morning and gave recovery inspired wellness packs to people accessing their service while a drama, storytelling, poetry, and music night was staged by Tallaght Rehabilitation Project (TRP).

Pavel’s image of Glendalough

TASP (Tallaght Addiction Support Project) in Fettercairn hosted a four-week camera phone photography workshop, with the aim of capturing ‘what recovery means to me’ through images.

The winning photograph was by Pavel Deka, a service user at TASP, who captured a sun-lit, scenic image of Glendalough.

As Recovery Month comes to an end, Niamh believes that further work is needed to reduce stigma around addiction.

“The more open people can be about their challenges in relation to substance use, the more likely they are to seek help and support,” Niamh said.

“When people can access the appropriate supports, they can flourish.

“As the saying goes, you alone can do it, but you cannot do it alone.”

The month of events culminated on September 30, International Recovery Day, when buildings across the globe went purple in solidarity.

Locally, County Hall, South Dublin County Partnership, JADD (Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency), Barnardos Lorien, St Dominic’s, CARP and TRP were among the buildings lit up purple.

For further information visit www.tallaghtdatf.ie for a list of services across local communities.

Alternatively contact the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force on 01 4649306.

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