R. Gil Kerlikowske joins Robert J. Lindsey (right) at the Recovery Walks! 2011 in Philadelphia.

Neither threat of rain nor grey skies could deter more than 15,000 people who turned out at Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing for Recovery Walks! 2011, an annual walk in celebration of those in recovery from addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs. The event, sponsored by NCADD Affiliate, The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania and their recovery program PRO-ACT, took place on Saturday, September 24th.

The Walk celebrates individuals and families who have sustained long-term recovery and honors people and organizations who make recovery possible. An added benefit of the celebration is that it provides hope to individuals and families who are living with active addiction to alcohol or drugs.

“Recovery Walks 2001 was truly an inspiration and it was a privilege to join 15,000 people celebrating recovery” said NCADD President and CEO Robert J. Lindsey. “The visible symbol of recovery provides a symbol of hope and opportunity for those still struggling with the disease of addiction and are who proud of their recovery.”

Friend of NCADD, Laurie Dhue, veteran TV anchor and in long-term recovery, was this year’s celebrity emcee leading the stage program that took place right after the Walk. Other dignitaries that joined the walkers included Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office on National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP); Pamela Hyde, Administrator of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health and Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Westley Clark, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).

The event also featured other dignitaries including interventionists Candy Finnigan and Jeff VanVonderen from A&E’s award-winning Intervention show, along with Dr. Libby O’Connell, A&E Chief Historian and Senior VP for Corporate Outreach.

But what made this event so unique were the thousands who they came from Philadelphia and other Pennsylvania counties, in busses from New Jersey, and from nearby Delaware communities. Nationwide, NCADD Affiliates and others hosted events attended by over 100,000 Americans who marched, ran and walked as part of the 22nd Annual  National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. From Denver, CO to Hartford, CT to Buffalo, NY to Kansas City, MO, to Detroit, MI to Philadelphia, PA members of the addiction recovery community, their families, friends and allies rallied in support of recovery calling for improved local, state and federal policies so that others can get the help they need to recover.

NCADD estimates that over 20 million individuals and family members are living life in long-term recovery from addiction, benefiting themselves, their families and communities.

Pictures from the Recovery Walks! 2011

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

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