This week’s guest blogger is Lisa Gladwell of New Jersey Recovery Advocates, a grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer real solutions to the plague of addiction currently devastating our children, families and loved ones. As September is National Recovery Month, I urge all of you to join their walk/rally on Saturday, September 17.

All the best,
Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ

By Lisa Gladwell

ADDICTION: It is impacting every street, every town, every community in New Jersey. More people are dying from drug overdoses than car accidents. This public health crisis is destroying families; devastating our neighbors; permeating every community and is the epidemic of our time. We can no longer “just say no,” or arrest our way out of this plague. We must offer real solutions to those afflicted by this disease. And, the solution is RECOVERY.

“Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential,” according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

September is National Recovery Month. Forging ahead with a collective vision to celebrate the reality of recovery, New Jersey Recovery Advocates is pleased to announce the FREE statewide Recovery Walk/Rally is being held on Saturday, September 17, at Liberty State Park. The walk, a ceremonial demonstration of solidarity, showcases banners with this year’s theme: RECOVERY: BECOMING the BEST ME.

All of New Jersey is uniting at this event to raise awareness, create synergies and serve as the tipping point for effectively addressing the disease of addiction. We anticipate this event will go far to offer hope to the suffering, demonstrate the reality of recovery from addiction and serve to eliminate the discrimination and stigma attached to this prevalent disease.

So, join us, support us, publicize this event and be part of the solution! Show up: help us to celebrate a New Jersey where all its people can live healthy and full lives, including freedom from the bondage of substance abuse.

New Jersey Recovery Advocates, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was founded to engage, collaborate, educate, advocate and celebrate recovery from substance use disorders. We look forward to the day when ALL lives are valued. For more information, please visit www.newjerseyrecoveryadvocates.org or email us at Info@newjerseyrecoveryadvocates.org

Notice: This article reflects the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ). This information should not be construed as legal advice from the author or PDFNJ. Please consult your own attorney before making any legal decisions.