Chasing After the Wind – A Conversation AOD Educator & Author Kerryn Redpath

Building Resiliency - Welcome to the Unnecessary Harm Podcast

Episode description:

We have deliberately released this important conversation with recovered substance user and AOD Demand Reduction Education specialist, Kerryn Redpath, between the two ‘bookend’ events of World Drug Report and World Drug Overdose & Poisoning Awareness Day 2025. Kerryn’s journey into this, always humanity diminishing arena, is one portrait of so much that is happening in this new era of cultural dysfunction. However, the hinge of hope in her journey is also what sets it apart from this mess and brings not only hope, but demand reduction wisdom and direction that can equip communities to side-step this toxic arena.

In this powerful episode, Shane Varcoe sits down with Kerryn Redpath, author of “Chasing After the Wind,” to explore her journey from recreational drug use to near-fatal poisoning and recovery. Kerryn shares how substance use began after changing schools, leading to a five-month hospitalisation where she was given less than two hours to live.

The conversation examines drug poisoning realities, family impact, global trends in substance use, and why prevention education has been marginalised. Shane and Kerryn discuss the importance of authentic lived experience in education, social contagion in youth drug uptake, and early intervention for developing brains.