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More Than 1,000 Georgians Attend Addiction Recovery Awareness Day at Georgia State Capitol

Governor Kemp, Members of State Legislature, Citizens in Recovery Mark Addiction Recovery Awareness Day


ATLANTA, GA – WEBWIRE

The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the impact of recovery in Georgia’s communities, co-hosted the 11th Annual Addiction Recovery Awareness Day in Atlanta today, together with a coalition of stakeholders who are committed to helping individuals, families and communities affected by substance use disorders.

Governor Brian Kemp kicked off the day-long celebration of recovery, addressing more than 1,000 attendees at the Georgia Freight Depot. Addiction Recovery Awareness Day culminated with a rally on the south steps of the State Capitol, where Georgians in recovery, healthcare professionals and other allies gathered to speak out about recovery so others know it’s possible.

The recovery community convened in the morning at the Georgia Freight Depot where Georgia Governor Brian Kemp kicked-off the recovery training program.

Governor Kemp said: “I am proud that Georgia has 30 Recovery Community Organizations throughout the state, and I am proud to say that Georgia has more than any other state. I know we can save lives, restore families, strengthen communities, and make Georgia a safer and healthier state.”

Other speakers included Attorney General Chris Carr, Senator Renee Unterman, Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, Representative Sharon Cooper, Representative Erick Allen, DBHDD Commissioner Judy Fitzgerald, and Neil Campbell, executive director of GCSA. Attendees received up-to-date information on Georgia’s 911 Amnesty Law, which gives immunity to those reporting and experiencing possible overdose from alcohol or other drugs, as well as a demonstration on the administration of Narcan, the antidote for opioid overdose. Attendees also received training on effective recovery language to use when speaking with State leadership or their local legislators.

At the rally on the south steps of the State Capitol, State Representative Erick Allen (D-Smyrna) introduced the design of the Georgia Recovers license plate. House Bill 326 would create a special state license plate to honor people in recovery from addiction and mental health challenges, their allies and professionals who have dedicated themselves to help improve lives and communities.

Both the program and rally featured Georgians in recovery sharing their personal recovery stories. Recovery voices help to destigmatize recovery and raise awareness about the power of recovery communities across the State. GCSA aims to promote stories of recovery year-round with their Georgia Recovers campaign, which carries a message that addiction is a preventable, treatable chronic health condition from which people can and do recover.

Neil Campbell, executive director of GCSA and a person in long-term recovery said: “Addiction Recovery Awareness Day is a powerful demonstration that recovery is real. We have tens of thousands of people in our State who are struggling with a substance use disorder. We also have tens of thousands of people in recovery, many who are willing to speak up and speak out about how they got well. Our message is ‘we are in recovery and we want to help!’ Empowering people in recovery is what GCSA is all about, and whether you are living with a mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, your voice matters.”

About Georgia Council on Substance Abuse

The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse is dedicated to strengthening communities by promoting quality substance use prevention and treatment practices. It also supports public policy that reduces the prejudice and discrimination associated with chemical dependency, and supports developing and implementing a strong prevention, treatment and recovery services system.

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