By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Over 200 people packed into Timbarra Community Hall in Berwick on Saturday 21 January for the launch of a book by local drug rehabilitation coach and mentor Glenn Munso.
The book, titled ‘Drugs do not discriminate’ not only tells Mr Munso’s story of drug addiction but provides the tools for readers and groups to help themselves or the people around them end their drug dependency.
Mr Munso has been helping young people in the Casey and surrounding areas kick their drug habits through a specially tailored mentor program for almost three years.
The ‘YouthYou Program’ is run from Mr Munso’s Gym in Hallam and helps young people with a drug addiction turn their lives around.
Mr Munso said he was absolutely astounded by the number of people who attended his book launch in Berwick and could not thank the community enough for their support.
“It was really good,” he said.
“We had people drive from two hours away from places like Melton, Essendon and even further; it was a really successful night.”
Mr Munso said launching his book was just the first step to expanding his program further afield to help more people in rural communities with their drug issues.
“The next step is doing the book tours and I’ve got a few lined up from Shepparton, Horsham, Gippsland and all through rural Victoria,” he said.
“Then we are going to launch an online program that correlates with the book and includes a 30-day detox online program, we have talks organised as well.”
Mr Munso sold about 200 books at the launch and has another 192 on his pre-order log but said donating books where they were needed most is an important part of the program.
“We donated some books to organisations that were represented at the launch like churches and mental illness centres,” he said.
Mr Munso hopes that with the tools in the books and an expansion of the program into regional areas, he can help young people from across the state to kick their drug habits and live better lives.
“The support and the awareness from the community was an eye-opener,” he said.
“What we did Saturday night we want to do in other cities; we want to go out and help more people who are suffering and need the help.”
