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International Day of Recovery 2024

A look back at a very special day in our calendar of recovery events, and bringing to a close an extremely busy but worthwhile month of recovery activities. We really hope you enjoy this episode, we feel it captures the essence of what recovery month is all about, coming together to inform, listen, support, reduce stigma and celebrate.  #recoveryispossible 

On Monday September 30th, 2024, we marked International Recovery Day and the end of remarkably busy recovery month, in the company of colleagues, friends, community representatives and service users. What has now become our annual recovery walk, started in Fettercairn Community & Youth Centre, home also of Tallaght Addiction Support Project. We walked together in solidarity and in pouring rain which only strengthened our message that recovery is possible, and change is possible, no matter what challenges you face, Irish weather included! The walk concluded at JADD (Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency), and everyone gathered in the adjacent Jobstown Community Centre for lunch, information, and networking.

It was an incredibly special day, with special guests including Mayor of South Dublin County, Baby Pereppadan who started our walk as well as Tallaght native and comedian Al Porter, who was very generous on the day, in sharing details of his own recovery Journey.

It was an amazing day indeed, luckily, we had the record button on throughout, to capture some of the magic. Please have a listen and let us know how we did, if you like it, please share with your family and friends.

Sincere thanks to everyone who spoke to us on the day and anyone who contributed to our recovery month events in any way, big or small. In doing so, you have helped to reduce stigma facing individuals and families impacted by substance misuse in our communities, you have also helped us to spread the key messages that supports are available through our amazing community drug services and that #recoveryispossible, for anyone who wants it.

About this series – Tallaght Local Drugs & Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) presents “Survive & Thrive”, a podcast which aims to empower and give voice to individuals, families and communities impacted by substance misuse.  Through this podcast we also want to promote these addiction support services, reduce stigma associated with substance misuse and hopefully encourage anyone isolated to take that first step in asking for help. Yes, there are many stories of poverty, suffering and trauma in our communities, as a result of drugs & alcohol misuse; but there are also stories of great resilience, hope and support.  Lived experience is extremely valuable in shaping the work we do as a Task Force and that of our amazing frontline community drug services. 

Tallaght Local Drugs & Alcohol Task Force was set up in 1997 to facilitate a more effective response to substance misuse, in the communities of Tallaght and Whitechurch. For more visit https://tallaghtdatf.ie/