RECOVERY WALKS! 2013 DRAWS CROWD OF 20,000

RECOVERY WALKS! 2013 DRAWS CROWD OF 20,000Believed to be the largest gathering ever in support of recovery from addiction PHILADELPHIA, Pa.— Sept. 26, 2013 — Once again, PRO-ACT’s annual Recovery Walks! event broke all attendance records. Estimated at more than 20,000 strong, the crowd at Penn’s Landing on Sept. 21 was the largest ever assembled to celebrate and support recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol. “Each year, more and more people come out to put a face on recovery,” said Beverly Haberle, executive director of The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, whichhosts PRO-ACT. “They show that recovery is possible—and that people in recovery surround us in all walks of life. This event also gets tremendous support, not just from people in recovery, but from family, friends and other allies of the recovery community.” The crowd included 159 honor guards who wore purple sashes, each representing adecade or more of successful recovery. Collectively the honor guard had 2,648 years of recovery. They led the crowd from Penn’s Landing through Old City and back. It was a colorful scene. A rainbow of teams in matching T-shirts walked to celebrate their own recovery, to encourage others and to remember those lost to the disease of addiction. The 12 Step Fighters Team earned the prize for collecting the most donations, with a total of $2,445. Team Captain Christina Reice, of Barto, Pa., will throw out the first pitch at next year’s annual Recovery Works Philadelphia Phillies game. The NJ Buses Team, led by Rob Lightfoot of the New Jersey Prevention Network inLakewood, N.J., was the largest team, with 468 participants. Steve Highsmith, host of NBC10@Issue and news anchor at PHL17 was the master of ceremonies for the stage program following the walk. Speakers included Benjamin B. Tucker, deputy director of State, Local and Tribal Affairs for the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Arthur C. Evans, Ph.D., director of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS); and Debra M. Browning, training coordinator, and Cheryl Dondero, deputy secretary, of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Theprogram also recognized legislators and others whose work has directly or indirectly supported the recovery community through support for Medicaid expansion, restoration of General Assistance and prevention of predatory Pay Day Lending legislation. Among the highlights of the stage program were performances by Mark Dixon and Ronald Davis, the finalists in the Recovery Idol competition organized by DBHIDS. The performers were backed by the DL & the Zone Band, featuring Doug Lyons, Ray Williams, Brett Jolly and Shirley Light. At the end of the program, DerrickFord, host of Recovery Talk 101 on WURD 900 AM and DBHIDS community liaison, presented the Recovery Idol trophy to Mark Dixon for his performance of Luther Vandross’s “Super Star”. Dixon, 47, of Philadelphia, has eight months in recovery. As Recovery Idol winner, he will also receive studio time to record. Recovery Walks! is one of several events that The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania and PRO-ACT held as part of Recovery Month, a national initiative sponsored by SAMHSA, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The event is a fundraiser to support PRO-ACT’s prevention, advocacy and recovery support services. For more information, call215-345-6644, visitwww.recoverywalks.orgor follow on Twitter @recoverywalks. About The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. is a private nonprofit prevention, education, advocacy, and intervention organization, providing a wide range of services to families, schools, businesses, individuals, and the community. Founded in 1975, The Council serves the Southeast region of Pennsylvania and is a member of a nationwide network of National Council on Alcoholism and DrugDependence Affiliates. The Council has offices and Recovery Community Centers in Doylestown, New Britain, Bristol, and Philadelphia. For help with alcohol, tobacco or other substances, or for information on the disease of alcoholism and addiction, call 800-221-6333, toll-free, 24-hours a day. For more information, visitwww.councilsepa.org. About PRO-ACTPRO-ACT is the regional nonprofit organization working to mobilize and rally individuals in recovery from addiction, as well as their families, friends and allies in a campaign to end discrimination, broaden social understanding and achieve a just response to addiction as a public health crisis. About Recovery MonthThe observance of Recovery Month, which takes place each September, raises awareness of mental and/or substance use disorders, celebrates individuals in long-term recovery and acknowledges the work of prevention, treatment and recovery service providers. Each September and throughout the year, Recovery Month encourages communities nationwide to spread the message that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental and/or substance use disorders.  # # # NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional photographs available on request. CAPTION FOR IMAGE Recovery Walks 2013 crowd.jpgRecovery Walks! 2013 drew a crowd of more than 20,000 individuals in recovery, family members, friends and allies of the recovery community. The event, which took place at Penn’s Landing on Sept. 21, is believed to be the largest gathering ever assembled in support of recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol.Credit: Marita O’Connell/The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc./PRO-ACT CAPTION FOR IMAGE Legislative Award Winners.jpgAt Recovery Walks! 2013, PRO-ACT recognized several legislators for their support of Medicaid expansion. Pictured here, left to right, are Pa. Rep. Gene DiGirolama, Dist. 18; AllenMcQuarrie, PRO-ACT; Pa. Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen, Dist. 3; Pa. Sen. Vincent J. Hughes, Dist. 7; and Skip Carroll, PRO-ACT.Credit: Mike Browna/Philadelphia Photo League CAPTION FOR IMAGE Award Winners.jpgAt Recovery Walks! 2013, PRO-ACT presented advocacy awards to Nancy Morrill, chair, Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition; Antoinette Kraus, director, Pennsylvania Health Advocacy Network; Michael Froelich, managing attorney, Community Legal Services; Robin Stelly, community organizer, Keystone Progress, Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition; and Kerry Smith, staff attorney, Community Legal Services. At far right is Allen McQuarrie, PRO-ACT. Not pictured are Athena Ford, director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network; and Tam St. Claire, chair, Health Care Subcommittee, Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition.Credit: Mike Browna/Philadelphia Photo League 

Challenged by a loved one's dependency?

Challenged by a loved one's dependency? WE HAVE WAYS FOR YOU TO MOVE FORWARD October programs for family members bring you understanding, learning with others and reassurance that life can get better!   When someone with an addiction gets help - or doesn't - a family needs to recover, too.  Livengrin's family services offer you ways to come to terms with the situation, help yourself and the family to change, and experience the many gifts of Recovery.  You deserve it. FREE SEMINAR: BREAKNG DOWN THE STEPSTuesday, October 8    6-8PM The well-known Twelve Steps are often not understood by those outside of recovery.  Yet they're an essential tool for families to support a loved one and themselves.  You do not need to have a family member in Livengrin to attend.  Fact sheet:Free Family Seminar on 12 Steps WEEKEND RETREAT: FAMILIES STAYING STRONGSaturday & Sunday, October 19-20Hear from experts and keynote speakers.  Learn about community support groups in your own backyard.  Relate to other families through their stories and experience (and yours).  Treat yourself to some serenity.  For complete details on activities,rates, accomodations and more, view & print this info page:  Livengrin Family Retreat Facts To learn more about Livengrin's extensive Family Services and program offerings, contact therapist Dana Cohen at:dcohen@livengrin.org -- or call 215-638-5200, ext. 162 We look forward to being of service to you.   There's more on other upcoming Livengrin events at our calendar page. Learn More at:Livengrin Website Support the Foundation  During its 47 years of service, more than 125,000 people have come to Livengrin to learn how to be healthy, sober and a part of their families, work and communities again.  You can play a role in a person's success story - make a contribution, volunteer, and tell someone about the help and hope to be found at Livengrin.  There's information, guidance and much more to learn throughout our website. 

Some Patients in Rehab Centers May Go to Great Lengths to Obtain Drugs

By Join Together Staff | September 23, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs & TreatmentSeveral recent cases of drugs smuggled into substance abuse treatment centers highlight how difficult it is to eradicate drug use in these facilities, according to USA Today.In New Jersey this summer, prosecutors arrested seven men, including five employees, at Veterans Affairs treatment facilities on charges of distributing heroin, crack cocaine and painkillers.In Minnesota, a patient at a locked state drug treatment facility was sentenced to four years in prison, after she and two other patients used heroin and other drugs smuggled in shampoo bottles and pockets of jeans by an accomplice outside the center. Now clients must undress for a contraband search when they are admitted to the facility.“Addicts will go to great lengths to get drugs,” said Carol Falkowski, former director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division at Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, who also worked at the Hazelden Foundation. Patients at facilities can often convince friends, family or their former dealers to smuggle in drugs for them, she said. “It happens all the time,” she noted. “Historically, it’s something that every treatment center has to deal with.”At Origins Recovery Centers on South Padre Island, Texas, patients are thoroughly searched and are tested for drugs twice a week, according to CEO Ben Levenson. “These are survivors. They are super resourceful. Many of them are super bright. They try everything. I’ve seen them hide pills in the seams of their dress shirts,” he said. The facility conducts deep background checks on employees, and regularly tests them for drugs.The Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California has a highly trained security team that includes a dog trained to detect drugs, strict protocols for all visitors and random drug testing of patients, according to spokesman Russ Patrick.

Joseph D. Out Of Control Lost Soul Becomes Whole

Posted on September 19, 2013 Tagged in Alcohol Addiction, Faith, Recovery Submitted By Susanne Johnson a story about and written by Joseph Dickerson.       The title says it all! The first ten years of my life were normal. I was a straight A student who quite frequently spent time on the honor roll and a very active boy scout. At the age of 10 a family member paid me a visit and that was the day my world was shattered. The next 22 years of my life were spent in fear, anger and insecurity. As I got older, I did what anybody else would do to cope. I drank and drugged to create a new me, brave and strong, who knew all things. That was a joke, as I look back now. My life was a devastated wasteland. Way down deep in my heart I hated myself, and I was clueless as to why.One day under a bridge in Philly a man appeared to me. He was walking towards me, and he kept staring at me. My first thought was to run, but my legs would not move. As he got closer my mind raced, “Is he a cop, an enemy? Is this it? Is my life over?” Standing in front of me he extended his arm and handed me a little black book. I took it opened and began to read. At the end of that story in that book a man was in a casket being buried, and then it hit me like a truck. The man in that story was me. Right then and there I surrendered my life to God.Thirteen years later my life is whole. I have a family of my own, a new home and, most important, my sanity and sobriety. Now I don’t want you to think I didn’t work my arse off to get sober. Some days were easy, and some were hell. Through my faith and the 12 steps I have come to realize addiction is a byproduct of a broken heart. Fix that and the head will follow. There is no drug in the world that can match the feeling you get when you know you have helped someone find their way- See more at: http://www.heroesinrecovery.com/stories/control-lost-soul-becomes-whole/#sthash.0yrOoK45.dpuf

RECOVERY WALK 2013

www.recoverywalks.orgSaturday, September 21, 2013REGISTRATION Everyone who walks should be registered. This is the time to do it if you haven't already. It's easy, painless, and free.Click here to get to the Recovery Walks website and register. If you cannot do so ahead of time, please go to the Registration Booth (#2).  HONOR GUARDThe Honor Guard is made up of people who have been in recovery for 10 or more years. They wear purple sashes and lead the Walk. Let's not live in silence any more! Help break down the stigma of being in recovery. It's time to stop living anonymously and show the world how many of us are living as responsible, tax-paying citizens. As you register online, you can click a box to show that you qualify to join the Honor Guard. Or, if you forgot to check the box, go to the Honor Guard Booth (#6) and get a purple sash by which these special people are known. DONATIONS If you wish to make a donation to Recovery Walks and PRO-ACT, please go to the Donation Booth (#1). And Team Captains, wishing to turn in their team's donations, should go to that same booth. MAPS OF PENN'S LANDING AND PROGRAMS There will be Greeters at the Walk who can give you maps showing where the various booth locations are, as well as Programs. Or go to the Information Booth (#4).Spotlight on PRO-ACT's Advocacy and Healthcare Booth (#5) PRO-ACT's Public Policy Committee is hosting the Advocacy and Healthcare Booth (#5) at the Walk, with thanks to Sponsors AmeriHealth Caritas, Independence Blue Cross, and Public Policy Committee member, Skip Carroll. Enrollment. Because enrollment in the new insurance Marketplace begins on October 1, a large portion of the 50-foot booth is dedicated to education on the Affordable Care Act. You can view educational videos and brochures and have access towww.healthcare.gov, where we'll show you how to apply online for coverage. You'll also receive information on Free Clinics, Pharma Patient Assistance Programs and Dental Programs. Staff from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services and Navigators from the Mental Health Association of Southeast Pennsylvania will be there to help. Take 5. The Advocacy portion of the tent will introduce the "Take 5" program, designed to get individuals involved in public policy. People can register to vote at the booth as well. There are Raffles. The Committee is giving five $50 gift cards away in a raffle. Stop by and learn about either the new healthcare laws or Take 5--you'll receive a sticker that qualifies you for a raffle ticket.  A FEW NOTES ABOUT SATURDAYYou don't have to be in recovery to join the Walk.Use Twitter to locate friends--@recoverywalks #recoverywalks13.Bear in mind that your actions can influence the way in which the general public view the recovery movement. YOU represent recovery.Follow the designated Walk route and stay close with those in front of and behind you-don't let large gaps develop. Keeping everyone together strengthens the feeling of being part of a larger movement.It's a rain or shine event. You may need sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, sweater, or raincoat.Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes--and remember this is not a race.We welcome　children but an adult must accompany children under 8.Please leave skateboards, blades, and bicycles at home. But, of course, bring strollers and wheelchairs.Dispose of litter in a trash can and encourage others to do the same, even if you have to put something in your pocket until you see a trash can.If you walk with a dog, pick up after it, and keep it leashed and under control.We discourage wearing headphones. They limit your ability to hear announcements, traffic, others around you, and the overall fun.  Some Selected FAQs From Our Website Q. I'm a volunteer, where do I go at Penn's Landing?A. Go to Volunteer Booths #5 and #6 in Chestnut East in Zone 3Q. Where do I go to pick up my team packet?A. Go to the T-Shirt Booth #10 in Zone 3, on the outside ramp.Q. Is smoking permitted at or during the Walk and Stage Program?A. No.  PRO-ACT has a no-smoking policy　in the interest of everyone's　health.Q. Can I buy an official Recovery Walks t-shirt?A. No.  Walkers who have donated or raised $50 earn t-shirts. If you would like to make a donation of $50 please proceed to Donations Booth #2 by Registration.Q. Where do I turn in my collected donations?A. Turn them in at Donations Booth #2 in Zone 3 by Registration.Q. If I lose track of my child, what do I do?A. Go to the First Aid Tent, just left of the Stage at ground level.Q. Where is Lost and Found?A. At the Information Booth #1, next to Registration in Zone 3.Parking and TransportationWe recommend that you carpool or use public transportation if possible. There is no free parking. If you drive to Penn's Landing and would like to check Mapquest, use the address of Columbus Avenue and Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. However, you can easily get detailed directions to the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing byclicking here. Parking: There is some metered parking along nearby streets, but there are several parking lots within　walking distance from Penn's Landing's Great Plaza. Rates may be around $20.With Thanks to our Top Sponsors for Their Support   To see a complete list of sponsors, please click here       The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.252 West Swamp Road, Unit 12Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901215-345-6644www.councilsepa.org

YOU FAMILIES STAYING STRONG Weekend Retreat

Take some time for YOU FAMILIES STAYING STRONG Weekend Retreat for learning and healing in October   A family needs to recover from a loved one's addiction.  At this special weekend retreat, you can experience the many gifts of Recovery in a quiet setting. At FAMILIES STAYING STRONG, you can hear from experts and keynote speakers.  Learn about community support groups in your own backyard.  Relate to other families through their stories and experience (and yours).  Treat yourself to some serenity.  Sat. & Sun. October 19-20 For complete details on activities, rates, accomodations and more, contact Family Therapist Dana Cohen at:dcohen@livengrin.org -- or call 215-638-5200, ext. 162 View & print this info page:  Livengrin Family Retreat Facts We look forward to seeing you there!   To learn more about this and other upcoming Livengrin events, please visit our calendar page. Learn More at:Livengrin Website Support the Foundation  During its 47 years of service, more than 120,000 people have come to Livengrin to learn how to be healthy, sober and a part of their families, work and communities again.  You can play a role in a person's success story - make a contribution, volunteer, and tell someone about the help and hope to be found at Livengrin.  There's information, guidance and much more to learn throughout our website.