For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Donovan Kuehn
703.741.7686, ext. 125
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Linda Kaplan
301.468.0985
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Recovery Month, a long-running celebration of those whose lives have been touched by addiction, faces elimination from the 2008 budget of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

NAADAC has urged its thousands of members, the recovery community and those who work in the addiction services profession, to let their congressional representatives know that Recovery Month remains an important priority.

Celebrated in September, 2007 marks the 18th anniversary of Recovery Month. Since its founding in 1989, Recovery Month has grown enormously. Last year, SAMHSA received $4 million to organize and assist Recovery Month programs to educate the public about addiction recovery.

"The message of Recovery Month extends far beyond the month of September and serves to encourage an ongoing dialogue about addiction and recovery," said Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP, Executive Director of NAADAC. "In a society where many people still do not know that recovery is possible, Recovery Month serves a critically important role."

"As an addiction professional, I am privileged to see people recover from their addictions and reclaim their lives. I believe it is crucial that Recovery Month's message - recovery is possible - continue to inform Americans about the benefits of drug treatment and provide hope for those with addiction," added Moreno Tuohy.

Recovery Month has been widely recognized as one of the most successful campaigns in the country for communicating information about public health. In 2006 alone, Recovery Month won eight national awards for excellence in communication and design.
"The critical thing is for everyone to tell their congressional representatives that Recovery Month is an important priority," said Daniel Guarnera, NAADAC Government Relations Liaison.

"Addiction is the number one health crisis in America with social costs estimated at over $450 billion per year. Lawmakers need to hear from their constituents that Recovery Month's message is too important to be cut out of the budget."

To voice your opinions, please contact congress through the NAADAC website.