On Monday morning, Kerryn Redpath, author of Out of the Darkness, shared her incredibly powerful message about the dangers of drug and alcohol use with our Year 11 students.
In the early 80s, Kerryn found herself on a slippery slope of alcohol and drug use that saw her admitted to hospital at the age of 25 with an auto-immune disorder, and both heart and kidney failure.
Despite spending five months in hospital, she miraculously survived the ordeal and now educates young people around the country in the hope that she can save other families from the heartache she has experienced as a result of drug abuse.
Kerryn shared some hard truths with students.
“We didn’t know what we were doing back then – we were playing with fire,” she said. “No one thinks they are going to die, but that’s the reality. It happens every single day.
“When I started using drugs as a young person, I thought it would be a bit of fun. I’m blessed to still be alive – to be able to share this message.”
Kerryn’s presentation covered the brain science behind drug use, the long term dangers, and the misnomers around so called “soft” drugs. She finished by reminding everyone of their worth as individuals.
“Everyone is valuable and has huge potential,” Kerryn said. “Be kind and look out for one another.”
