While attending university in the 1970s in Sydney, he was a boxer, biker and footballer. It was fun while it lasted, but after travelling the hippie trail throughout Asia he ended up a heroin addict and was constantly in need of his next fix.

At times, Knowland even contemplated robbery to fund his next hit.

He finally got clean after entering rehabilitation with the Salvation Army.

Knowland will talk about his book To Hell with Smack: Life Beyond Heroin Addiction at the Griffith City Library on Thursday at 5pm. In his cautionary tale, Knowland outlines what led him down the path to addiction and how he beat the odds by living a successful second life as a high school teacher, a rehabilitation centre director a a 33-year career in the NSW Public Service.

Knowland will provide an insight into what it takes to achieve long-term recovery from addiction.

You can RSVP to the free event at Griffith City Library, call 6962 8300 or visit www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/library