DATE: August 29, 2008
CONTACT: Paul Jaquith, Director
Broward Addiction Recovery Center
PHONE: 954-357-5444
In support of National Recovery Month, Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) is raising awareness about substance abuse and alcoholism and will honor its alumni with several activities in September.
BARC is a county-operated substance abuse assessment and treatment provider that since 1973 has served Broward County adult residents and those experiencing homelessness with a continuum of substance abuse services, including medical detoxification, assessment, outpatient, day treatment and residential treatment.
During this month, BARC will have an informational display at the Broward County Governmental Center in Fort Lauderdale, September 2 through September 12; participate in the National Recovery Month & Unity Day Celebration at Central Regional Park, September 13, noon - 5 p.m.; and host a BARC Alumni recovery celebration at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale to recognize alumni for their successful completion of the treatment programs, September 18, 6-9 p.m.
"This event will celebrate our BARC Alumni's commitment to recovery and provide an opportunity to reconnect with staff and peers as well as learn about additional post-treatment support available in the community," says Kurt Robbins, BARC Substance Abuse Program Manager. "We acknowledge that recovery is sometimes a daily challenge, and we are here to support and help each individual stay on the path of success."
National Recovery Month is an observance that highlights the personal and public benefits of substance abuse treatment, recognizes the dedication and contributions of treatment providers, as well as the efforts of recovering persons and their families, and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible.
This year's theme for National Recovery Month, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Real People, Real Recovery," urges everyone to acknowledge the financial and human costs of substance use disorders, and to understand the benefits that investing in treatment can have on those who enter recovery, their families, and the community.
• Studies from the National Institutes of Health, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and other prestigious institutions have all shown that drug treatment reduces drug use by 50 to 60 percent, and reduces arrests for violent and non-violent criminal acts by 40 percent or more.
• Estimates by the Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation are that for every $1 spent on drug treatment there is a $7.14 return in cost savings to society.
• Over 30 percent of BARC clients are in treatment, working on their recovery and preparing to resume their lives as productive citizens instead of in jail.
The BARC Alumni Group, the BARC Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Board and the Mount Olive Development Corporation sponsor the BARC Alumni Recovery celebration. For more information about the BARC Recovery Celebration event, contact 954-497-1420. For more information about the programs and services offered at BARC, contact 954-765-4200 or the Web site www.broward.org/healthcare.
|