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The Department of Health invites residents to an Open House later this month to commemorate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
A panel discussion incorporating this year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever”, and a series of workshops on substance abuse orders will round out the list of activities.
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, observed annually in September, honors people in recovery from substance disorders, as well as those who provide treatment and recovery services, and promotes the need for treatment access and long-term recovery.
Staff from the Department’s Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services (MHADDS) will celebrate the positive impact of treatment for and recovery from substance abuse disorders and has set aside activities for the month to:
- Recognize the strides made in treatment.
- Educate the public that substance use disorders are a treatable public health problem that affects everyone
- Encourage community support for those in need of treatment and people in recovery.
- Encourage people affected by addiction to seek treatment and recovery services so they can reclaim healthy and productive lives
Health Commissioner Julia Sheen said that as of 2008, data published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), show that 23.1 million people, ages 12 and older, needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem.
“Sadly, there are many more nationally and in the Virgin islands in need of treatment that are unable or unwilling to receive it for a variety of reasons,” Sheen said. “We urge residents to come to the Open House later this month and learn about the services available to them.”
Sheen said that in addition to recovery programs for adults, preventing teen addiction is also a key priority for the Department.
Earlier this year, the Department was awarded $3.5 million in grant funds, over a five-year period. The State Incentive Grant (SIG), funded by SAMHSA, will help prevent substance abuse among pre-teens and teens.
Schedule of Activities
September 9, 2010
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lecture Series (open to all): “Stress Management”
Charles Harwood Annex, Room 2026
September 14, 2010
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Lecture Series (women only): “Recovery and Spirituality”
Charles Harwood Annex, Room 2026
September 16, 2010
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lecture Series: (open to all) “Matters of the Heart”
Charles Harwood Annex, Room 2026
September 17, 2010
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open House, Charles Harwood Annex
September 21, 2010
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lecture Series (women only). “Next Steps After Recovery”
Charles Harwood Annex, Room 2026
September 23, 2010
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lecture Series (open to all) “How Drugs and Alcohol Affect
Your Heart.”
September 28, 2010
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lecture Series (women only) Your Health And Recovery;
Charles Harwood Annex, Room 2026
September 29, 2010
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Panel Discussion. “Now More Than Ever” Charles Harwood
Complex, First Floor, Room 1016.
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