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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NADCP Welcomes 18th SAMHSA/ CSAT National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month September Designated as Opportunity to Highlight Treatment Options for Alcohol And Substance Abuse Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) is pleased to announce September is the 18th Annual Recovery Month, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). The 2007 Recovery Month is a celebration designed to highlight the treatment options available to combat alcohol abuse and drug addiction, as well as recognize those recovering from substance dependence. Through national and local activities, the Recovery Month draws media attention to treatment options for people suffering from alcohol addiction and substance abuse to raise public awareness that addiction is a treatable disease and offer hope for recovery. Entering its eighteenth annual celebration of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, SAMHSA and CSAT have released a tool kit to assist with local events for the month of September. This year's theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Saving Lives, Saving Dollars,” asks you to take notice of the financial and human costs of substance use disorders, and to understand the benefits that investing in treatment can have on those who enter recovery, their families, and the larger community. “Drug court programs are recovery factories in the Justice system, and Recovery Month provides us with the opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals in the substance abuse treatment field for their tireless efforts to combat addiction and restore lives,” said NADCP Chief Executive Officer West Huddleston. “At a time when the societal and financial costs of alcohol and drug addiction are soaring, we need treatment options like drug court to combat the rising tide, and this month allows us to give those programs and treatment professionals the recognition they deserve.” Drug courts have demonstrated impressive returns on financial investments in the nearly two decades since their inception, leveraging every dollar invested federally to a national average $4.50 on the state level. Add to that the low cost-per-participant versus the expense to incarcerate that same individual, and drug court offers unrivalled cost-savings while producing incredible results in reducing recidivism and treating addiction. Mr. Huddleston continued, “I urge all drug court professionals to take part in this month-long celebration of the work they and their colleagues have done in providing treatment for our addicted brothers and sisters. The life-saving work they perform on a daily basis deserves recognition and appreciation from us all.” The tool kit is designed to guide coordinators as they plan, advertise and launch events to celebrate Recovery Month 2007, providing media materials that may be tailored to fit the needs of local programs. Also included are pointers to maximize outreach to elected officials and policy makers in order to draw their attention to the incredible work of treatment providers and the accomplishments of those undergoing recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The Recovery Month tool kit is available to be ordered through the website, http://www.recoverymonth.gov, where it may also be downloaded in electronic format. About NADCP For more information, visit http://www.nadcp.org/. |