By Violet Li
Community organisation Nas Recovery Centre celebrated the achievements and visions for its major drug and alcohol support program Path2Home on Friday 6 December.
Starting around August last year, the eight-week program provides evidence-based and culturally informed drug and alcohol education and harmonisation strategies to communities from African backgrounds.
The sessions run both in-person and online in psychosocial groups with different topics for each week.
Board chair Ella Rose said at the celebration ceremony that the past year had been particularly very transformative for the organisation.
“We have initiated countless essential support services to individuals who have made significant changes in their lives,” she said.
“Many have returned to school, secured safe housing, and engaged in long-term rehabilitation with families becoming more involved in their children’s care and recovery.
“Those who are fully dedicated to giving up on drugs are adopting safer practices in their drug use through our community harm reduction outreach and path to home support groups, which equips friends, family, and individuals with the tools that they need to support their loved ones.
“Through education and effective strategies, we’ve significantly reduced the potentials associated with drug use. Individuals who used to choose drugs are now equipped with the knowledge to do so more safely, which has played a crucial role in preventing deaths and injuries.”
Founder and chief executive officer Nyachan Nyak said the program ran 33 sessions last year and the average attendance was around 11 per session.
“You could see how many people have been impacted, and then we provide one-on-one counselling support for people that have drug and alcohol or mental health issues,” she said.
“The program has provided countless counselling session hours at a free cost to the communities.”
Ms Nyak said the program had achieved more than what they expected.
“We knew there was a gap in the community, but it has achieved way beyond what we expected in terms of numbers, but also most importantly how many people are willing to make referrals,” she said.
“Our biggest referrals are hospitals…. If they’re referring to us, that just tells you that culturally tailored services are needed, and there is a need because that’s why they’re referring people to aftercare support to prevent them from being hospitalised again.”
The key to the achievement was cultural awareness and the understanding of the lived experience in the community, according to Ms Nyak.
“We obviously see what the issue is. We also see what the community desires, and what works for them is what we’re bringing in,” she said.
“We know our community. We’re very strength-based people because people have come from a really tough life before coming here.”
“Our cultural understanding and awareness, the fact that our team are all skilled and expertise in the areas, and being able to be in the community, are also the keys.”
In 2025, Nas Recovery Centre will open from Monday to Friday in its Cranbourne West location. It will open in the African Library in Footscray on Thursday and Friday.
