During the month of September, the Jefferson Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center (JADAC), a division of Seven Counties Services, Inc.; Our Lady of Peace, a part of KentuckyOne Health; and Volunteers of America of Kentucky invites all persons in the region who are in recovery from addictions to complete and hang a “sobriety/drug-free date leaf” on Recovery Trees at one of three locations:
· JADAC, 600 South Preston Street
· Our Lady of Peace, 2020 Newburg Road
· Volunteers of America of Kentucky, 1436 South Shelby Street
The Recovery Trees are displayed in recognition National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Month each September. 2014 is the 25th anniversary of the National Addiction Recovery Month, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to recognize people in recovery from addictions, as well as their families, friends, and treatment providers. All businesses and government offices are encouraged to create their own Recovery Trees.
To celebrate Recovery Month, Louisville will host a national rally sponsored by Persons Advocating Recovery (PAR) on Saturday, September 20 at the Louisville Waterfront Park Big Four Lawn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be music, entertainment, and food for all who join us to celebrate the lives of those who have attained long-term recovery and honor those who were not so fortunate. Face painting for the kids along with balloons, and other fun activities. There will be a special ceremony to link up with all our friends in Indiana.
No workplace is immune from alcohol and drug problems and nearly all have persons in active recovery. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health, over 77 percent of all adults with alcohol and/or drug problems are in the workforce.
This year, the Recovery Month theme, “Recovery Rocks,” promotes the need for better awareness and increased understanding about addiction, treatment, and recovery for the entire community, as well as awareness about the importance of access to treatment and recovery.
Recent research shows that drug overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the nation’s number one cause of accidental death. Research also shows that only a small fraction of the more than 23 million people who needed addiction treatment in the United States in 2007 had received some form of treatment.
