MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS CLINICAL MANAGER WITHDRAWAL UNIT CLINICAL TEAM ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT PROGRESSIVE LEARNING CENTRE PRINCIPAL TEACHING STAFF Our staff Organisational Structure BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER James A Pitts CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Brendan Flynn ASSESSMENT & REFERRAL MANAGER ASSESSMENT & REFERRAL CENTRE 14 RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION MANAGER TREATMENT PROGRAM PARENT’S & CHILDREN’S PROGRAM <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2010</strong> COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER ADMISSIONS AND INTAKE CENTRE COUNSELLING SERVICES AFTER CARE PROGRAM MERIT PROGRAM ACCOUNTANT/ COMPANY SECRETARY FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION The staff of <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> are committed to providing quality services and care. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds, which enriches the service delivery environment. As always, the staff are to be commended for their ability to deal with a demanding client population whose needs become greater and greater. It is the staff who are able to see through the veneer of hostility or reticence often presented by our clients, to see the potential that lies beneath that façade. They provide the consistency within the treatment environment that allows our clients to make lasting changes to overcome their dependency on alcohol and other drugs. We thank them!
t 6 n - k. r ed was ars ded anons, ine ing 996 eof Nouriesinthe king stice runk, man alling d to ced a bher, te of Families set out A Kate Sikora Health <strong>Report</strong>er CHILD’S scooter sits abandoned on the front porch.Behindthescreen door, a little girl’s laugh is heard. Thewalls are dotted with drawings by a pre-schooler and in the corner lies a basket overflowing with toys. Young mother Brigette is nursing her newborn daughter Ruby, whohas just woken for her feed. Across thehallway a little girl, no older than four, is yelling out for her mummyasshethrowsupfrom a stomach bug. It is a typical house that can be found in anyAustralian suburb. But this homeinaquiet cul-de-sac in Campbelltown,inSydney’swest, is anythingbut ordinary. Brigette, 27, is a recoveringdrug addict and already has two children who are being cared for by their dad. All thewomen staying in this cottage are recoveringdrug or alcohol addicts tryingtorebuild their lives and keep hold of their most preciousthing—their children. <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> is a residential rehab centre, oneof few in Australia that can accommodate parents, allowingthem to live with their children as they undergo therapy. ‘‘I feel completely safe and comfortable here,’’ Brigette said. Brigette has been addicted to ‘‘everything’’ since shewas 12. Due to leave <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> by Christmas, she is hoping to move into her own homeand resume visitation rights with her daughters Monique 10,andCrystal, 8. In a rare insight The Daily Telegraph spoke with families who call <strong>Odyssey</strong> home. Some stay for just three months but others will stay up to a year as they learn to live sober. The non-religious and not-forprofit home boasts a success rate of 70 per cent. It can house up to 113 people, including eight single-parent families, in purpose-built cottages that resemble an average home. It is a ‘‘therapeutic community’’ — residents are expected to live and work together by helpingtorun and maintain the 6ha facility, as well as cook and attend therapy. ‘‘The first thing to say about people who cometo<strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> is that they have been involved in drug use for a significant time,’’ CEO James Pitt said. New life:Brigette with herbaby daughterRuby Pictures: Cameron Richardson New start: Andrew and Karen Kelly ‘‘They are socially disadvantaged. They probably have been involved in criminal activity, their families may have reached apointthat they no longer can cope. They probably have had eight previous attempts at rehabilitation. ‘‘These are people whose lives are really out of control.’’ For thepast 30 years, the house has been treating addicts from aroundNSW andinterstate. In recent years, alcohol has increasingly becometheprincipal substance ofaddiction formost residents, followed by amphetamines. It is well knowninthedrug-taking community that a stintat<strong>Odyssey</strong> is oneofthe toughest, with residents taughtawork ethic and expected to wake at 7am every day. They live by five cardinal rules: No drugs or alcohol, no sex,no stealing, no violence or threats, orknowledge (of anyone abusingtherules). ‘‘They come here and they don’t have theNo. 1 thing they used to cope with in life,’’ MrPitt said. ‘‘They get here andthey think ‘What have I got myself into?’.’’ But it is the Parents andChildren program that makes <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> unique. While parents attendtheir sessions, including counselling and parenting workshops, children are expected to attend the local primary schoolor day care facility. A T NIGHT,mumsand dads are encouraged to have play sessionswith their children and are in charge of their own budgets — anovel concept for some whose sole purpose until then has been to score drugs. The cost of attendingtheprogram is taken out oftheir government benefits andtherest is keptin account for them to use to buy incidentals, or to save. Libby searched for monthsfora place like <strong>Odyssey</strong> before leavingher life in Queensland andmoving interstate with her four-year-old daughter Jasmin. ‘‘Iamscared to thinkwhere we would be if I hadn’t found this place,’’ she said. ‘‘It was a really big move forusbut, as I have gonethrough heprogram,I realise it was the best thing I could have ever done. ‘‘Jasmin is really blossoming. She is doingsowell and she is confident. ‘‘Ihave started to getting excited aboutwhat she can achieve.’’ In the Media L1944825-230909 (From left): Trupti Dave, Hong Lu and Alicia Constable from Campbelltown’s <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> have organised community events for this year’s Mental Health Week. Events to cut stigma COMMUNITY health groups in the Macarthur area hope to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness when they host Mental Health Week 2009. Members of the Macarthur Mental Health Promotion Network have organised a variety of events to take place from October 4 to 11. The events, which have been funded by NSW Health, aim to raise awareness of mental health in the community and provide information about services and mental illness prevention. Campbelltown<strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> Aftercare psychologist Trupti Dave said it was important people learned more about mental health issues. ‘‘Many people still don’t understand mental illness and it’s going untreated in the community,’’ Ms Dave said. 15 <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2010</strong> This year the theme of ‘‘Sign up, link in, get involved’’, was chosen to promote the role of social participation in emotional wellbeing. <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> has organised a seminar to help family members deal with drug and alcohol addiction and a Feel Good Day to teach people relaxation techniques. Ms Dave said she hoped the events inspired and informed people. ‘‘Working on your mental health doesn’t need to be a big deal, it can be about doing light, fun things,’’ MsDave said. Details: Phone Campbelltown Community Mental Health Centre on 4629 5400 or <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> Aftercare on 4628 8806. Visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au for more information. on <strong>Odyssey</strong> of hope with children Dean,Marcus and Jacob and (below)James Pitt One family which has gone through <strong>Odyssey</strong> and madeittothe other side are theKellys. Four months ago, Andrew and Karen completed almost a year at the rehabilitation centre with five oftheir seven children. Addicted to ice andspeed since they were 17, thecouple had spent the past decade ‘‘in a blur’’. Throughout her pregnancies, Karen would limit her drugintake, but couldn’t kick the habit. ‘‘All the timeIwanted to give up.I even left Andrew and wenttoa women’s refuge twice to try and get clean,’’ she said. Then, one day, Karen woke up and found there was no food in her house. That was after shehad already started stealing groceries to feed her growing family. Desperate to get outof a cycle of poverty and crime, Karen finally took a big step towards redemption. Shewalked uptoher children’s school in Newcastle and told the teacher: ‘‘Ineed to go to rehab.’’ Within 24 hours, she, her husband Rescued and family found themselves at <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong>. ‘‘Iknew Ihad hit rock bottom,’’ she said. ‘‘Themain priority was to be a better provider to mychildren. ‘‘I always wanted to get off the drugs. It was motivation for metobe a better mother.’’ The couple now live in Campbelltown and are startinganew, healthier life. Thechildren go to schooland Karen and Andrew are preparing themselves for TAFE,with steady jobs theendgoal. ‘‘Iwant people outthere to know that there are places they can go to,’’ Karen said. ‘‘There is help available and if my story helps just one family, then it’s worth it.’’ Kate Sikora is The Daily Telegraph’s Health <strong>Report</strong>er. If you have an interesting healthrelated story to tell, contactKate on 02 9288 2711 oremail sikorak@dailytelegraph.com.au Jobless teens’ fut Inspired by love:Reformed addictLibby plays with hernewly-confident daughterJasmin news 13 DRUG and alcohol rehabilitation centre <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong>’s annual open day will coincide with its 32nd anniversary this year. The community is invited to find out what rehab is really like when the Eagle Vale facility opens its doors on Sunday between noon and 3.30pm. Last year more than 400 people attended the event, which recognised graduating clients, educated the public about the organisation’s work and thanked id staff and supporters. ce to Visitors can tour the resi- nt dential rehabilitation C w rvs a- e - e e Vital centre to celebrate at open day macarthuradvertiser.co centre where about 100 clients live and work in a structured environment that emphasises self-help and personal growth in the journey to successfully overcoming alcohol and drug dependence. There will also be displays of woodwork, art and craft by residents and activities for children. Formal activities start at 2pm. <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> is at 13a Moonstone Place, Eagle V ale. D etails: marketing@odyssey house.com.au or 8307 8838. New contender for your Christmas dollar THE new factory outletinQueenStreet to open tomorrow mayofferapre-Christmas challengeto Macarthur Square and Campbelltown Mall. DirectorTerry Bassal(pictured), from SaxonDevelopments, said the BrandsonSale Factory Outlet Centre would beadvertised widely. ‘‘It is sure to attract people from all over Sydneyand will offer huge economic benefits for both QueenStreet and Macarthur,’’ hesaid. ‘‘As weareanoutlet centre we are able to have brand namesat a greatly discounted price. Details: www.brandsonsale.com.au –CorinneBlight The demon drink It’s noticeor heroin heading the admissions at <strong>Odyssey</strong><strong>House</strong>, but somethingalittle less expected. Michelle Taverniti reports. Ho and ou OU UP TO 30 OF 1 WEE ONLY FR ACCE W are the alcohol- dependent adults and rehabilitation clients of the future,’’ Mr Pitts said. He said there was greater public awareness about the ill effects of alcohol, but that youngsters were startting drinking at earlier and earlier ages ALCOHOL was in 2009 the and were first drinking when prime cause of admissions to they were about 12 or 13. the <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> rehabili- ‘‘Now young people drink to tation centre for the third get drunk,’’ he said. consecutive year. ‘‘They get wiped out. This is stated in the <strong>Odyssey</strong> ‘‘In almost 40 per cent of <strong>House</strong> annual report released cases, the alcohol is supplied by last Friday. It said alcohol was Mr Pitts said this year’s finding their parents or friends.’’ the main drug of concern for reflected ina sense growing Mr Pitts stressed that drink too 26 per cent ofadmissions to community concern about was a drug and that one of the the Eagle Vale centre this year. alcohol and binge drinking. big issues was that most people Amphetamine-type subHesaid the admissions didn’t tended to dismissitbysayingit stances including ice and come from the younger mem- was only alcohol. ecstasy accounted for 21 bers of society either. The annual report stated that per cent of admissions, fol- ‘‘This is a group ofpeople the number of people admitted lowed by 18 per cent for heroin aged 35 and over – people aged from 18 to 25 had fallen and cannabis, 9 per cent forwho’ve been drinking forasig- with the rise of alcohol morphine, cocaine andgamnificant period of time and admissions – it accounted for42 bling, and 8 per cent for finally have got to the point per centofadmissions in 2003. methadone. where they really need to do Mr Pitts said <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>Odyssey</strong> <strong>House</strong> chief execu- something about it,’’ he said. helped people to ‘‘take control tive officer James Pitts said the Mr Pitts said the public focus of their lives’’. percentages reflected a shift in was at presentonteenage binge ‘‘We put some kindofstruc community attitudes, and that drinking, but that alcohol probture in their lives,’’ he said. up until 2006 people would lems didn’t just stop when ‘‘We’re trying to get people to have nominated illicit sub- Schoolies Week was over. develop a greater sense of resstances as their drug concern. ‘‘Many of these young people ponsibility.’’ U T 9 2 O B U T 2
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