By Effie Caloutas
The Healesville Football Club faithful heard a first-hand account on Thursday 1 June of the dangers surrounding recreational drug use.
Collingwood premiership player, and former Ferntree Gully resident, Gavin Crosisca, addressed players and members, revealing how a rehabilitation facility changed his life forever.
Crosisca told guests of how three months he spent with fellow drug addicts helped him in his efforts to become sober.
“I never felt connected with the Collingwood Football Club,” he said.
“But I felt connected to a room full of drug dealers that helped me recover from my addiction to drugs.”
Throughout his 28-year span as a player and coach, Crosisca was battling addiction to various drugs, including amphetamines (speed) and cannabis.
Isolated and living on his own at Ferntree Gully, after his move from Queensland, the 1990 Collingwood premiership player expressed how isolation was the key part of his addiction to illicit drugs.
“Isolation is the key part to drug addiction,” he said.
“I had everything going for me, but I was depressed and had low self-esteem.”
Crosisca paid respect to his wife, Nicole, who took him to a rehabilitation facility and then an intensive residential rehabilitation facility in 2011, which changed his life forever.
“I don’t know how she ended up staying with me,” he said.
“God bless her.”
Now a Qualified Intervention Professional at Alcohol and Help, and a Director of the Sober Living Housing Addiction Recovery Program, the former drug addict visits local football clubs to deliver messages about the dangers of illicit drugs.
“Cocaine messes with your mind,” he said to Healesville Football Club players and staff.
“Avoid ice to start with. Be wary with what you do with your mates.”
Healesville President Felix Fraraccio said that having a profile like Gavin Crosisca is just another way in providing awareness of the issues surrounding society.
“Having Gavin is no different to Pink Day and Beyond Blue. It’s about promoting good health in the community,” he said.
“It allows people to express themselves and find help.”
For anyone needing assistance, contact Sober Living Housing on 9578 1746.
