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*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

 Recovery Community Rallies for Drug Treatment
Services in Western Massachusetts 

Springfield residents, legislators, government officials, and local service groups will rally for addiction recovery services at the 4 th annual western Massachusetts recovery month event. With the help of local and state addiction counseling and drug prevention groups, people in recovery, their relatives and friends, rally organizers will raise awareness of the need for recovery services and showcase the success of people in recovery and the positive contributions they have made to the community.

“Many Massachusetts residents either need addiction treatment and cannot get it or need better treatment options to fit their own needs,” said Bill Sciturro, director of the Phoenix Academy at Springfield, a residential treatment program for adolescents. “We owe it to them and to our community to improve treatment access and quality. This rally is about showing society that recovery is possible and that treatment works.”

Who: Representative Mary Rogeness , Longmeadow, MA

Helen Caulton-Harris, Director of Springfield Department of Health and Human Services

Ruth Jacobson-Hardy , Western Massachusetts Regional Manager, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services-Department of Public Health

Jimmy Ferrera , candidate for Springfield City Counselor

Local blues singer Rockin’ George Leh,

Chris Kerrigan , adolescent in recovery at Phoenix Academy at Springfield

Derek Braxton, adult in recovery at Phoenix House Springfield Center

Treatment providers, local residents in recovery, and their family members.

When: Friday, September 23, 2005
2:30 p.m – 4:45 p.m- Music and activities
3:15 – 4:00 p.m. – Ceremony and speakers

Where: Magazine Park, St. James Ave. Springfield . If whether is inclement, the event will be held in Calkins Hall, The Old First Church on Court Square.

Background: More than 52,000 Massachusetts residents were admitted to alcohol and drug treatment programs in 2003; with over 11,000 being under the age of 25. According to a RAND study, every dollar spent on treatment saves taxpayers $3 in costs incurred for health care, unemployment, lost productivity, and criminal justice services. The rally is part of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and is sponsored by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Contact: Bill Sciturro
(413) 739-2440 ext. 6256

Sponsors Include: Phoenix Houses of New England; MOAR; Western Massachusetts Parents Support Group; Springfield Department of Health and Human Services; Massachusetts Department of Public Health- Bureau of Substance Abuse Services; Recovery At Work (RAW), Opportunity House; and My Sister's House, MAADAC, Western Massachusetts School Substance Abuse Counselors Association. Participating organizations: Western Massachusetts Substance Abuse Providers Association; AdCare Educational Institute; Northern Educational Services; Grace House, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership; Gandara Programs; Beacon Programs; Providence Hospital; Arbor House; Hairston House;

Keenan House; ADS/Baystate; River Valley Counseling Services; Open Pantry/Rutledge House