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City laneways, footpaths and buildings in the Melbourne CBD will be lit up each evening from 25 – 31 August with images and artworks created by people who have experienced drug addiction, and their family members.
Beyond the Stigma – Laneway Light is being led by one of Australia’s leading community health services, cohealth, to mark International Overdose Awareness Day (31 August) and humanise people experiencing one of the most highly stigmatised health conditions globally – illicit drug dependence.
Featuring 100 paintings, photos and imagery contributed by 29 people, mobile projector bikes will take the light installation to public spaces around the Melbourne CBD, and a fixed light projection will light up a wall in Westwood Place. The digital installation will also be viewable online from 6pm on Thursday 25 August via the cohealth website.
cohealth Chief Executive, Nicole Bartholomeusz says Beyond the Stigma – Laneway Light aims to create conversations about drug stigma, and advocate for health-based responses to drug use.
“Drug dependence is a diagnosable health condition, but is too often portrayed as a personal choice or moral failure,” said Ms Bartholomeusz.
“Drug stigma pushes people further away from the health services and support they need, and into darker corners of the community where they are at greater risk of overdose.”
“This project has empowered people to express their point of view, and to recast commonly held stereotypes about people who use drugs,” she said.
The people who contributed artwork range in age from 9 years to 65 years and come from all walks of life, said Ms Bartholomeusz.
“Some of the contributors are homeless, some are in rehab, some are survivors of abuse, some are studying their PhD, some are family members of people who have died of drug overdose.”
“The one thing they all have in common is that they have been affected by drug dependence. It is our great privilege to be able to bring their stories and creative contributions to public spaces all over the CBD,” said Ms Bartholomeusz.
Exhibition details
Beyond the Stigma – Laneway Light will launch on Thursday 25 August, 6pm and can be viewed 25 – 31 August, 6-11pm in Westwood Place, as well as at other locations in CBD via the mobile projector bike.
Beyond the Stigma – Laneway Light will be launched online @ 6pm Thursday 25 August www.cohealth.org.au/laneway-light
Facts and stats
Overdoses in Australia
Australia’s Annual Overdose Report 2021 (Penington Institute) revealed that deaths from overdoses have outnumbered the road toll since 2014.
Overdoses in Victoria:
Overdoses in City of Melbourne
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More on cohealth:
cohealth is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit community health organisation that strives to improve health and wellbeing for all. cohealth provides universal access to services as well as targeted programs and assertive models to address the health disparities experienced by disadvantaged groups. cohealth offers a broad range of high quality, integrated health and support services, including medical, oral, pharmacy, mental health and drug and alcohol services.
more information: Lanie Harris 0418 552 377 lanie.harris@cohealth.org.au
— Ends —
More on cohealth:
cohealth is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit community health organisation that strives to improve health and wellbeing for all. cohealth provides universal access to services as well as targeted programs and assertive models to address the health disparities experienced by disadvantaged groups. cohealth offers a broad range of high quality, integrated health and support services, including medical, oral, pharmacy, mental health and drug and alcohol services.
more information: Lanie Harris 0418 552 377 lanie.harris@cohealth.org.au
@cohealth_au facebook.com/cohealth/
Collingwood