New York Marks Recovery Month with Statewide Events

ALBANY, NY (09/10/2007)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced a series of events throughout the state in September to celebrate National Recovery Month. The events, ranging from a relay run to grassroots forums, will highlight that recovery from addictive disease is possible through effective treatment and recovery programs, self-help and mutual support groups, and involvement of the recovery community.

“Recovery should be worn as a badge of honor by the individuals who have overcome addiction,” said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. “Each day in the OASAS treatment system, as many as 110,000 New Yorkers continue their journey toward recovery. Supporting recovery this month, and every month, sends a message to all New Yorkers - especially the 1.8 million New Yorkers who are struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse – that there is hope for life in recovery.”

Understanding recovery and its importance in our society is key to helping those who need or have undergone treatment for addiction. Recovery occurs as a person begins to make better choices about his or her physical, mental and spiritual health. Recovery begins with a decision to deal with the addiction, but continues far beyond treatment and reaching abstinence.

“People need to understand that addiction is a chronic disease and recovery is a choice that people make every day,” Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said. “We need to support these individuals throughout their recovery and work to remove the stigma of addiction. Those who sought recovery are to be honored. They are our family members, co-workers and community members.”

OASAS oversees the largest, most comprehensive addiction prevention, treatment and recovery network in the nation. OASAS is working to establish and expand existing Recovery Support Services in New York that will be effective, relevant to peoples needs, culturally sensitive and available, and as needed throughout life.

To learn more about OASAS Recovery efforts or if you or someone you know needs help or has questions about OASAS prevention, treatment and recovery services, please call 1-800-522-5353 or visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

This year as part of Recovery Month, OASAS will host the following events:

4th Annual Recovery Fine Arts Festival, September 4-28

Artwork and poetry created by individuals in recovery are on display on the Concourse of the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The theme of this year’s Recovery Fine Arts Festival is “Celebrating the Growth of Recovery." Judging for this year’s competition took place Sept. 5 in the categories, photography, watercolor, pen & ink, pencil, acrylic, oil, poetry and Commissioner’s Choice and Public Opinion. OASAS will host an awards ceremony for the winners of this year's competition on Oct. 11 in Albany to honor the artists and their outstanding work.

Recovery Services Forums

September 11, Liverpool, N.Y. September 20, New York City

These two Forums are designed to gather input on the development of the recovery services system in New York. Participants will include individuals in recovery, the recovery community, prevention and treatment providers, and other interested partners. The forums theme is Prevention, Treatment and Recovery – Equal Partners: A Vision for Strengthening Individuals, Families and Communities. The forums will be followed by seven statewide focus groups in the following nine months to foster the Recovery Movement.

The first Forum on Sept. 11 will be at LeMoyne Manor, 629 Liverpool Road, Liverpool, outside of Syracuse, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Forum on Sept. 20 will be held in New York City at Columbia University, Alfred Lerner Hall, 2920 Broadway @115th Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no media availability at the Forums.

4th Annual Run for Recovery, September 18

The Run for Recovery will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The 2-mile relay race will be run by OASAS-certified treatment and prevention providers, as well as employees of New York State agencies. Teams will be made up of four runners or walkers who each individually complete one lap (1/2 mile) around the reflecting pools of the Empire State Plaza. The Run will be immediately followed by a Finish Line Party, complete with the upbeat jazz, R&B and rock-and-roll of The Foy Brothers. The Run for Recovery reinforces the importance of being supported by a team of people. Last year, more than 1,000 runners and walkers took part.

Addictions Professionals Day, September 30

Gov. Eliot Spitzer will proclaim Sept. 30 as Addictions Professionals Day in New York. OASAS will celebrate Addictions Professionals Day in a ceremony at the annual conference of the Association of Substance Abuse Providers of New York State in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The ceremony will honor the thousands of health care professionals who have dedicated their careers to helping those with addictive disease. Awards will be presented to the 2007 Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) of the Year, CASAC Trainee of the Year and the Credentialed Prevention Professional/Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPP/CPS) of the Year.

###

Posted Monday September 10, 2007 at 05:10 pm by New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services