OASAS Unveils NY's First Recovery Campaign: "Real People, Real Stories"

ALBANY, NY (09/13/2008)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced New York's first Recovery Campaign; Real People: Real Stories, highlighting twelve inspirational stories of recovery from alcohol, drug or gambling addiction.

Ten New Yorkers in Recovery were introduced at the state's first-ever Recovery Conference in Albany, where more than 300 participants gathered for workshops and nationally known speakers, including Dr. H. Westley Clark, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, SAMHSA.

"There are thousands of New Yorkers who are living stories of long-term recovery and can share their experience," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "We want to make sure those stories are echoed throughout the state and nation to raise awareness and understanding about recovery."

Recovery from the chronic disease of addiction is not merely abstinence, but also includes health and wellness that support a productive life in community.

Individuals are encouraged to share their stories through a new section of the OASAS Web site which allows individuals to share their story of recovery. The stories will be posted on the OASAS website and stored in a Recovery Stories Bank which can be searched by viewers.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "There are thousands of New Yorkers in recovery who can lend their story to help people understand addiction and life in recovery. They have struggled and worked hard to continue their journey of recovery and should celebrate their recovery by wearing a badge of honor, if they so choose. These powerful stories will help reduce stigma and offer hope to the 2.5 million New Yorkers who are dealing with drug, alcohol or gambling addiction."

The stories submissions will include first names and last initial, but will not require other identifying information in order to respect those who wish to remain anonymous.

The following individuals will be recognized with a commemorative "badge of honor" for their stories:

1. Kristina Sellers, age 22. After completing treatment for drug addiction at Odyssey House, Ms. Sellers has recently finished her first year of college for a degree in criminal justice and works for an employee assistance program.
2. Claude Riddick, age 55. With more than a year in recovery from drug addiction, Mr. Riddick is a Vietnam U.S. Navy veteran who is now employed as a railway technician.
3. Ronnie Uss, retired, celebrating 35 years in recovery from alcoholism. She was the CEO of the Recovery Center in Monticello and is the former Chair of the Governor's Advisory Council.
4. Peter Citrin, age 53, in recovery for 20 years from gambling addiction. Mr. Citrin is a practicing attorney in personal injury law in Melville. He conducts continuing legal education seminars for attorneys on gambling addiction.
5. Vivian Velasquez, age 42, celebrating 13 years in recovery from drug addiction. Ms. Velasquez received a bachelor's degree in human services. She has been a caseworker for the Department of AIDS Services and a substance abuse counselor for Family Dynamics.
6. Kevin Garvey, age 59, celebrating over 15 years of recovery from drug addiction that was treated through a methadone program. Mr. Garvey has earned his CASAC and is a Divisional Director at the Lower East Side Service Center in New York City.
7. Eric Moore, Sr., age 39, in recovery for 19 years from drug addiction. Mr. Moore has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a masters degree in social work at Hunter College. He has earned his CASAC and is a program director at Samaritan Village in New York City.
8. Derrick Staley, age 45, 17 years in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Mr. Staley is now an elite runner, lost approximately 100 pounds, and is a CASAC at Conifer Park in Scotia.
9. Maureen Wheeler, age 41, in recovery from drugs and alcohol addiction for more than three years after completing treatment through the Franklin County Drug Court. Ms. Wheeler has worked at the St. Regis Mohawk library and will be working as a cook for the Partridge House hoping to help others at the program who faced the same challenges she experienced.
10. Keith Stack, age 50, celebrating two and a half years in recovery from alcohol and prescription drug addiction with a dual diagnosis of bi-polar disorder. Following a long career in government service, Mr. Stack is now the Director of Development of Grassroots Advocacy for the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, Inc.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo thanks each of the individuals who shared their story and presented them with a commemorative Badge of Honor at opening ceremonies of the conference on Sunday.

"These individuals represent the thousands who have gone through the hard work and dedication it takes to achieve recovery from an addiction. We are proud to support their efforts to show everyone dealing with an addiction that you can live a healthy and fulfilling life in recovery, and they are not alone."

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services programs, with 1,550 prevention and treatment providers. Through efforts such as the stories campaign, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness for the over 110,000 New Yorkers it serves each day.

For further information about all of the Recovery Month events, go to the OASAS Website, www.oasas.state.ny.us. For assistance with an alcohol or substance abuse problem, call the addictions helpline at 1-800-522-5353. For help with a gambling problem call 1-800-437-1611 or visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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