Life after the needle –

By Lia Bichel and Bridget Cook
AN addiction to heroin almost killed her several times, but now Kerryn Redpath is sharing her story in hopes of stopping young teens from going down the same path of destruction.
This month, the Narre Warren South resident will have a signing of her tell-all book ‘Out of the Darkness’ which she launched last year. The book describes her battle with drugs, and the obstacles to quitting her horrific addition.
Ms Redpath, 54, also hopes to tell her story to school students throughout the municipality to deter them from using drugs.
“I did something really stupid and nearly died. I believe part of the reason I survived was to pass on a message to others,” Ms Redpath said.
“I don’t dislike drug addicts, I was one and made a big mistake, but I hate drugs. I hate what they do to individuals and their families and our society. No person and no school is completely immune to the drug scene. I really believe if I share my story it will deter people from using.”
Kerryn’s story is a harrowing one.
While she says she is blessed to have the life, and family, she has now, her life as a teen spiralled out of control.
Ms Redpath said she was a happy, healthy and athletic teen but after being introduced to the party scene, she started to take risks, drank alcohol, tried cigarettes and smoked marijuana for the first time when she was 18.
At the age of 19, Ms Redpath flew to Kathmandu, Nepal, with a friend and intended to travel through Asia for six to eight months. But she contracted a severe dose of typhoid and nearly died, spending 10 weeks in Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital.
After her recovery, Ms Redpath drifted deeper into the drug scene and tried speed, hallucinogenic drugs and eventually heroin.
At the age of 25, Ms Redpath was diagnosed with Hepatitis B and six months after the diagnosis, she became gravely ill and was referred to a specialist at The Alfred hospital who diagnosed her with heart and kidney failure and said she had less than two hours to live.
Miraculously, Ms Redpath survived but her kidneys were still severely damaged and she spent five months in hospital.
After her release, Ms Redpath worked hard to overcome the desire to do drugs and never touched heroin again.
Her life now is a far cry from what it was then. She has found a Christian faith, had three children and is hoping to reach young people with her story.
She will be signing her book at Collins Booksellers, High Street, Berwick on 13 August at 11am. Anyone wanting information about Ms Redpath and her public speaking can contact her on 0425 758 751, email her on kerryn@kerryn-redpath.net or visit www.kerryn-redpath.net.