R. Gil Kerlikowske presenting Recovery Month Proclamation from President Obama to Robert J. LindseyOn September 8^th, more than 200 people attended the Recovery Month Kickoff Luncheon hosted by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) in Washington, D.C. in support of Recovery Month 2011:  Recovery Benefits Everyone.

NCADD provided a “Believe in Recovery” wristband for all attendees to be worn to raise awareness of and support for recovery.  According to NCADD President/CEO, Robert J. Lindsey, "I wear my wristband all the time and people always ask me about it.  Virtually everyone has a personal story to tell about how their life has been affected by alcoholism and addiction."  Recently on a flight from New York to Washington, the woman next to him told him about the alcoholism in her family, starting with her dad and his death from alcoholism.  But, she said, “I am living proof of the reality of recovery.  My recovery saved my life and I have been in recovery for 13 years!  And, my 23 year old daughter has been in recovery for 2 years!  My family Believes in Recovery!”

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP); an outspoken supporter of treatment and recovery, presented NCADD with President Obama’s  Presidential Proclamation--National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.  In his remarks, Director Kerlikowske spoke of our need to work together to lift the stigma associated with addiction and to remove the barriers to recovery.

Pam Hyde, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and H. Westley Clark, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) presented awards to four organizations in recognition of their outstanding work in support of Recovery Month.:  MATForce, Prescott, AZ; Providence Center for Recovery, Providence, RI; NCADD Greater Detroit, Detroit, MI and the Massachusetts Organization For Addiction Recovery, Boston, MA.

Special guest, singer and songwriter Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes for more than 50 years.  In her remarks, Judy said “I am grateful that everywhere I go I can have a sober life--grateful because I am one of the fortunate ones, able to talk about this disease, my recovery and tell my experience.  I am so glad that NCADD is out there doing good work for those who suffer from this illness--the truth is, the more we can tell people there is a way out of the darkness, the better we all are, and the better the planet, the more hope for everyone.”  As she concluded her remarks she led everyone in singing, Amazing Grace!

Pictures from the Kickoff Luncheon

–Welcome -  Harold G. Hathaway, III – Chair of NCADD Board of Directors

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