LAKE COUNTY — Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) will be hosting its annual March for Recovery Saturday in Clearlake. The theme of this year”s event is “Real People Real Recovery.”
The march will begin at 11 a.m. at Redbud Park and conclude at Austin Park with a picnic and several keynote speakers including Clearlake Mayor Curt Giambruno, who will be speaking about the benefits of recovery.
The March for Recovery recognizes and celebrates the achievements of people who have realized clean and sober lifestyles as a result of support and guidance. Previous events have included personal experiences shared by people who have changed their lives and found new beginnings thanks to the services offered through AODS.
“Healing alcohol and drug addiction in our community take education and action for people with substance use disorders who are starting on a road to recovery in Lake County,” it states in a recent press release concerning Saturday”s event. “Lake County Alcohol and Other Drug Services in Lakeport and Clearlake work every day to inform residents in our community that dependence on and addiction to drugs and alcohol is a disease that can be treated.”
According to the release, in 2006, of the 22.6 million people in need of treatment for an alcohol and/or drug use problem in the past year, only four million received some form of treatment.
To bridge this gap, it is necessary to raise awareness and expand the dialogue about substance use disorders as well as about the substances that are commonly misused.
In support of educational efforts to expand the awareness of substance use disorders,
The March for Recovery coincides with the 19th annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, a nationwide initiative each September supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The public is welcome to attend the march and picnic and help celebrate the accomplishments of those on a path to a clean and sober lifestyle. Children are welcome to attend as well and there will be a bouncy house, free hotdogs and other fun activities.
For more information call Alcohol and Other Drug Services at 263-8162 or 994-6494.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
