A new statewide grassroots RecoveryNC Campaign, designed to engage and empower persons in treatment and/or recovery from addiction, is being launched with assistance from the State Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. Families, friends, treatment and recovery advocates, counselors, and all with an interest in this critical public health issue are invited to participate in this Campaign.

The RecoveryNC Campaign!

• Supports Treatment and Recovery from Addiction in North Carolina
• Empowers those in the Treatment and Recovery Community who want to register to have a voice
• Diminishes stigma attached to addiction by demonstrating the value recovering people bring to their communities
• Provides an advocacy platform for those interested in influencing health policy
• Provides a virtual community for people in treatment and recovery, their families, friends and supporters where hope and help can be shared

The locus for the Campaign is the website, www.recoverync.org. A show of support for treatment and recovery from addiction begins by registering on the website. The website also contains information, links, etc., germane to the needs of those in treatment and recovery from addiction. The statistics gathered from those who register on the website will help to demonstrate the magnitude of involvement in and support for recovery from addictive diseases that exists within our state. Privacy and anonymity are assured to those who require them.

Campaign coordinators are visiting with boards and members of addiction treatment and recovery organizations throughout the state to introduce the Campaign and solicit involvement by all interested persons. In addition, a group of people in recovery have volunteered to advise the Campaign in the development of themes, formats and designs that will resonate with recovery communities in North Carolina.

This is an enormous effort. To truly be a success, it will take the commitment and passion of the larger treatment and recovery community and those who provide services and support them. In this critical time of competing interests for state funding, so much is at stake.

Recovery Month, September 2008 is targeted for the official unveiling of the campaign. There is still plenty of time for all to join in this powerful movement. For more information, visit the website and/or contact the Campaign Coordinator, Donna M. Cotter, at dcotter@nc.rr.com.