Episode three of the ‘Leave Your Mark’ podcast is now available focusing on the support available to families from the Family Support Network. The Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative (IBDI) launched the ‘Leave Your Mark’ podcast series in February 2022. The podcast features profile interviews with sports stars and community leaders telling their stories of how they left their mark on the world and rose above their struggles with addiction.
In episode three, IBDI presenter Darren Butler is joined by Gwen McKenna from the Family Support Network which is based in the North East. Many families go through the heartache of having a loved one in addiction. Help or support can often be lacking in this area, leaving families as the silent victims of someone else’s choices.
Gwen tells the story of her own journey with a family member’s addiction, and how it motivated her to work in support families dealing with issues arising from addiction. She discusses her heart-breaking experience of supporting people who have been threatened and forced to pay off a family member’s debt from buying drugs.
Speaking about the podcast series, Bishop Michael Router of the IBDI said, “Addiction is a frightening aspect of life in Ireland today. The rise in the abuse of drugs and alcohol is well documented and many parents, families and communities have suffered and are struggling to respond.
“I very much welcome this series of podcasts and videos produced by the Irish Bishop’s Drugs Initiative which will go some way to help highlight the problems that exist in families and society, and how those who have struggled with addiction have overcome their challenges. It will provide guidance and hope to people that there is a way out of addiction and that there are services to turn to when needed. Raising ”
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