As part of the ‘Leave a light on’ campaign, well-known buildings in Dublin, Limerick and Cork where lit up purple to mark International Recovery Day.
Observed on 30th September, ‘International Recovery Day’ aims to offer hope of recovery from addiction for people, families and communities.
The HSE in conjunction with the Recovery Academy Ireland developed the ‘Leave a light on’ campaign as part of the global celebration of recovery. This year buildings in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and around the world will be illuminated in purple – the colour representing the recovery movement.
In 2020, the ‘Leave a light on’ campaign calls for people to either use a torch, the flash light on their phones, a candle, or even Christmas lights at their front windows and shine a light on recovery.
Paul Duff, Project Coordinator of the Recovery Academy of Ireland said;
“The ‘Leave a light on’ campaign serves as a beacon of hope, signifying that help is available, and that people can and DO recover. It gives me great pride to see well known buildings light up purple this year. It takes enormous courage and commitment for people to enter recovery. Often people have to overcome marginalisation, stigmatisation and in many cases trauma. Recovery month is an opportunity is recognise their achievements and to celebrate peoples individual journeys to get to where they are now.”
Speaking at the launch of the ‘Leave a light on Recovery Wall’, produced by the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force in partnership with community groups from within Dublin North Inner city,Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu, says: “As lord Mayor of Dublin, I wish to show my support for international Recovery Day, taking place on the 30th of September, acknowledging the hard work of services, communities and people in Recovery. A Day when we globally shine a light on recovery, so people impacted by addiction feel less stigmatised, and that they know their Recovery is cause for celebration not condemnation.”
Minister Frank Feighan, TD. Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy: “It is a great honour to offer my full support to such an important day for so many people across the country. It is crucial that every person’s journey to recovery is centred on the individual and their needs at each stage. Our National Drugs Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’ provides for the full continuum of care for people traversing this difficult time in their lives. When so many things can jeopardise a person’s recovery, having an awareness day such as this, which is celebrated nationally, shows our support to everyone across the country who is either on their own recovery pathway, or supporting a loved one in recovery”
Show your support by following the Recovery Academy of Ireland on Twitter @IreRecoveryAcad and use the hash tag #LeaveALightOn to share a story or share an image on social media today.”
For more information about the Recovery Academy of Ireland go to: https://recoveryacademyireland.ie/
If you or someone you know if impacted by substance issues, contact the HSE’s Alcohol and Drugs Helpline for information on support services – freephone1800 459 459 Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 5:30pm or email helpline@hse.ie
