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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2004
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION
RECOVERY MONTH
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CONTACT: Kathy Seifried, Division of Substance Abuse
Services, DMH/MR (334) 242-3967
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On September 1, 2004, the Addictions Recovery Network (ARN)
and the Drug Education Council of Mobile will have a breakfast to honor the substance abuse
treatment providers in the Mobile and Baldwin County areas. The mayor of Mobile, the Honorable
Michael C. Dow, has proclaimed the month of September, 2004 as National Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Recovery Month in the city of Mobile and encourages all citizens to support this
year’s theme of “Join the Voices for Recovery….Now!” The breakfast will be at The
International Trade Club on Water Street at 8:00 a.m. At the breakfast, substance abuse
providers will receive recognition and two working professionals will tell their personal
stories of denial, treatment, and recovery.
During Recovery Month, communities nationwide join together to help people recognize that
alcohol and drug use disorders are treatable diseases. Research shows treatment for alcohol
and drug use disorders are as effective as treatment for other chronic conditions – yet
nationally, only 10 percent of Americans who need treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders
actually receive it. Alcohol and drug use disorders cost American businesses over $90 billion
in productivity losses each year. The problem is so widespread that more than 60 percent of
adults know someone who has reported to work under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. A
Federal needs-assessment survey estimated that Alabama has over 235,000 people in need of
intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment. Annually, only 20,000 receive treatment.
ARN’s mission seeks to influence public policy, reduce stigma, and emphasize the fact that
recovery works. ARN is a collaboration of people in recovery, family members, and friends,
people who work in the field of addiction treatment and advocates. For more information about
the Mobile breakfast or ARN, contact Bill Layfield at 251-433-5456. |
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