LYON/STOREY COUNTIES — September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, an annual campaign that aims to recognize and promote both the benefits and the issues associated with recovery. Communities across the nation commemorate Drug Recovery Month with a variety of events and proclamations to increase awareness about recovery and how it not only affects those addicted and recovering from substance abuse, but how it affects their families and friends.
Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey is encouraging people to celebrate recovery, to support prevention education, and to share information about affordable treatment options. “Even with the challenges that come with substance abuse and the road to recovery, Drug Recovery Month is intended to be an upbeat, positive celebration of recovery from addiction” said Christy McGill, Director of Healthy Communities Coalition. “Recovery Month focuses on the fact that recovery from drugs and alcohol is absolutely possible and always worth it. The campaign also helps guide people to free or affordable treatment options near their towns.” McGill said.
Prevention & Referral Programs: Healthy Communities Coalition sponsors and/or funds a number of programs and events throughout the year that aim to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse and to encourage individuals recovering from alcohol and drugs to reach out to others for much-needed encouragement and support and to work toward mending relationships with their families and their communities. The Coalition funds Stand Tall teams in each high school in Lyon, Storey and Mineral. Teen leaders in Stand Tall educate their peers and their communities about wellness and facts about alcohol, tobacco, prescription and other drug use by hosting creative campaigns like Red Ribbon Week, Every 15 Minutes, and Heart Health Month. In addition, the Coalition helps bring grant funding to three Project Success licensed social workers at Dayton High, Fernley High and Silver Stage High. The staff work with students on a number of issues to promote school success, including substance abuse prevention, intervention, and recovery. The Coalition works with partners like the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention to connect school districts with tools to prevent, recognize and refer students with behavioral health issues, including substance abuse issues. Programs include Teen Screen mental health assessment and referrals to resources, a free Crisis Line Text Messaging service, and free tele-psychiatry services for families on-site at schools in Dayton and Silver Springs. In addition, the Coalition organizes an annual medical outreach event called MORE which includes mental health and substance abuse assessments and referrals and prevention information for people of all ages.
“Healthy Communities Coalition includes individuals from the community as well as group partners from many different community sectors who promote the knowledge that while the road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and overcoming substance use disorders are significant and valuable,” stated McGill. “Substance use disorders not only affect those who are suffering, but also their families, friends, and the community. This underscores how crucial it is to provide access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.”
List of Treatment Programs in Nevada: To find a list of free or low cost treatment programs in Nevada, see http://mhds.state.nv.us/images/SATXProviderList20120715.pdf or call the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency (SAPTA) in Nevada at (775) 684-4190.
For more information about Healthy Communities Coalition, call 246-7550 or see http://www.healthycomm.org/Home.shtml
The 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.
