Ever since they moved to bigger premises at the old St. Mary’s Convent, the Red Door Project has blossomed into an amazing community organisation that goes way beyond its mission of providing assistance and services to individuals, families affected by drug and alcohol use.
For many people in the Drogheda Community, the Red Door has opened up a new life, one without reliance on drugs or alcohol and somewhere they can find the support and treatment they need to find a new direction.
Part of the Red Door mission is to spread the word that help is available to those that seek it and also to counter the prejudice against substance users.
To this end they have produced an excellent and thought-provoking film called “Sides” which was written produced and starring staff and service users which premiered yesterday at the Droichead Arts Centre as part of the Red Door’s Recovery Month celebrations.
The screenplay for “Sides” was written by project worker and drama teacher Orla Walsh to increase awareness to substance abuse and its effect on the family and the community.
“I wanted to help break the stigma attached to it” she said.
“Sides” is a simple story with a simple but very important message” Orla says, “it tells the three sides of the same story as seen from three different perspectives.”
Aine is the substance user in recovery, June is Aine’s mother and we get a glimpse of how it affected her life and Catherine represents social commentary.
Maria Murtagh, a project worker who plays June in the film, said she loved being a part of it. “The process was tough but I ask my clients to go outside their comfort zone daily, I stepped outside my comfort zone and I loved it” she said.
Service user Dennis Farrelly, who also appears in “Sides” said he too found the experience very enjoyable. “I was delighted to be part of something that highlights the stigma of addiction” he said.
Orla Keegan a social worker who played Catherine said “It was a privilege for me to play a character that might lead people to question their own attitudes towards substance users.”
Recovery Month is a global event that champions recovery and celebrates family, community and individuals in recovery from addiction.
The Red Door Project are delighted with the success of their Recovery Month campaign and to celebrate they are hosting a BBQ with live, music, comedy from Joe Rooney and much more on October 1st from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. (see poster below).
As a Drogheda Life reader you are one of the first to see this powerful film which was filmed and edited by local film maker Andrew Bennetts-Byrne.
