Odyssey House NSW runs 10 community services programs around Sydney and the Southern Highlands (in Bowral), where clients attend regular group and individual counselling and educational sessions while going about their everyday lives.

We help people with needs ranging from early intervention to overcoming long-standing dependence through to relapse prevention and aftercare.

We also assist people's families.

Odyssey House's programs help clients overcome drug use disorders, manage their mental health, deal with underlying personal issues, develop coping strategies and learn practical skills eg parenting, anger/conflict management, communication.

If necessary, we refer people to our withdrawal service or residential rehabilitation.

It's also important people know they don't have to "hit rock bottom" or be highly motivated before seeking help; our counsellors can assist people to develop motivation and engage in their recovery.

We encourage anyone concerned about their own or someone else's drinking or drug use to contact Odyssey House on 1800 397 739 or www.odysseyhouse.com.au or the Alcohol and Drug Information Service's 24-hour help-line on 1800 250 015.

In response to Maree Anderson's comment (SHN 25/7), the concern of local residents to a proposed two story 109 bedroom nursing home on Aitken Road Bowral requiring demolition of one or several significant Alf Stephens houses and a small forest of 90-year-old trees, should be seen as valid.

It is not so much a 'NIMBY' response as their desire is to preserve the heritage and landscape of our Southern Highlands towns. Fortunately for this concern, a further Interim Heritage Order has been granted, and a process is now in place to protect significant historic estates in this old Bowral street through heritage listing.

And yes, the issue of aged care is valid also. We do need adequate, and affordable facilities for our aging population.

But these facilities need to be sited with care to their surroundings, and there are in fact other 'clean slate' sites available a minute out of Bowral that would allow a sympathetic and practical build from this developer. We should not countenance the destruction of this shire's heritage, for any reason. If you destroy all landscape, and all history, what's there to connect you with your past...or your future?

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