Media Advisory: Hundreds Rally to Share Their Stories of Recovery and Celebrate Their Victories over Addiction

ALBANY, NY (05/06/2010)(readMedia)-- Hundreds rally at the state Legislative Office Building to share their stories of recovery and offer hope to the 2.5 million New Yorkers still suffering from an addiction to alcohol, drugs and problem gambling.

On May 10, 2010, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo will be joined by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, members of the New York State Legislature, recovery supporters, policy makers, and the Your Story Matters campaign "spotlights" to celebrate the lives reclaimed from addiction. Together, hundreds will celebrate the lives of New Yorkers living successful, rewarding lives in recovery and highlight their stories of hope and dedication to breaking the cycle of addiction to alcohol, drugs and problem gambling.

Governor David A. Paterson has declared May 10, 2010, "Your Story Matters Day" in New York. This is the state's second annual event celebrating the importance of the Your Story Matters campaign in building a unified, consumer-driven Recovery Movement. Your Story Matters Day symbolizes the significance of the stories shared at www.iamrecovery.com in reducing stigma and raising awareness that prevention is proven, treatment works and recovery is real.

WHEN: Monday, May 10, 2010, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.: Gather at the Well of the Legislative Office Building (LOB)

1:00 p.m.: Rally begins, Speakers at the podium

1:30 p.m.: Photo opportunity for all on stairs of LOB

WHERE: Well of the Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York

The 2009-10 Your Story Matters campaign "spotlights" in attendance:

• State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt of Buffalo: This politician gives new meaning to public service, offering his story of survival with the hopes of inspiring even one person to give recovery a try.

• Amber Saccoccio of Kingston: After countless arrests and multiple overdoses, this 21-year-old found her strength again through a prison alternative program, medication-assisted treatment and some well-deserved self-acceptance.

• Pastor Angel Zapata of Brooklyn: Who would have thought that the angry addict who shunned his brother's attempts to convert him to Christianity, finally found the love of God is his brother's sober pleas?

• Joan Hajjar of Brooklyn: Fifteen years of living a nightmare without escape, this Americorps director has enough gratitude to fill stadiums and enough humility to bring sunshine to those in need of guiding light.

• Joyce Barrett of Syracuse: The kind-hearted woman who realized caring was the key to overcoming a problem gambling addiction, now realizes the value of patience and the worth in having a choice.

• Juan Martinez of Bronx: This Desert Storm veteran eradicated the twisted foe he had in addiction and found true camaraderie in a program specifically designed to help him meet his true potential, without the use of a drink or a drug.

• Monroe Wesley Parrott of Albany: The guy everybody knew as "Money" on the city streets recognized a calling and found his own healing in delivering the message of recovery behind prison walls.

• Randy Hill of Buffalo: A man imprisoned by alcoholism for 31 years found his freedom through new insight and ancient culture.

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