Stepping Stones step up | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

STEPPING Stones to Success, the family-focused drug and alcohol program run by Family Drug Support has won a national award.

The national program manager for Stepping Stones is Valla-based Theo Chang, who will bring the award-winning program to Coffs Harbour next month

Stepping Stones won the Award for Excellence in Prevention and Community Education at the 2009 National Drug and Alcohol Awards on June 26.

It is a structured, interactive and experiential group course aimed at family members who are supporting someone who is dependent on drugs and/or alcohol.

Mr Chang said until recently the plight of families and the impact on them had been largely ignored.

Mr Chang will co-ordinate the first Stepping Stones course run in Coffs Harbour for two years during August and September. Beginning on August 5, Stepping Stones will be run in nine weekly two-hour sessions, on Wednesday nights from 6.30-8.30pm in Room 1 at the Coffs Harbour Community Village, ending on September 30.

The $70 cost of the course includes a $40 workbook and a year's membership to FDS.

Theo Chang said they could make arrangements for anyone who could not afford the fee.

As well as Stepping Stones to Success, Family Drug Support also provides a range of other support services.

Theo Chang facilitates Family Drug Support group meetings in Coffs Harbour in the mud brick buildings in Duke Street at 7-9pm on the first and fourth Monday of each month for people dealing with family members who have drug and alcohol programs. All interested people are welcome to attend.

He can be contacted on 0402 604 354 or 6569 5810.

Family Drug Support also operates a 24 hour support line, phone 1300 368 186.