Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey, the former U.S. Director of National Drug Control Policy, Dr. Barry Karlin, CEO of CRC Health Group, the nation's largest provider of behavioral health and addiction services, Charles Smith--North Carolina State Veterans Affairs Director, U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre, together with other elected officials, police chiefs, treatment experts, state and local veterans officials, recovering alumni, and families, will lead a news conference honoring recovering servicemen and women to launch National Recovery Month (see also Mental Health).
The event is Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11AM at Wilmington Treatment Center, 2520 Troy Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Titled 'Recovery Takes Flight,' the event is part of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Wilmington Treatment Center has been selected as the nationwide headquarters for the September 1 event by CRC and, in conjunction with over 100 other CRC Health Group addiction treatment facilities, will be releasing biodegradable balloons in a show of support for those in recovery and the many treatment professionals who dedicate their lives to making a difference.
The special press conference prior to the balloon liftoff will focus on the mental health disorders and addiction issues of many of our active duty and returning service men and women. With service suicides and addiction reaching higher levels, the issue is now of paramount importance. Wilmington Treatment Center is proud to have assisted 2500 men and women in service and post-service over the past seven years, as well as their families, among the many thousands of successful alumni from all fields.
Gen. McCaffrey stated, 'The event will honor our servicemen and women and the treatment experts who do everything possible to assure them ongoing productive lives. Wilmington is a national model facility in how its professionals help our military and veterans. It draws from 30 military bases. It has made an important contribution both over the past several years and now as our combat mission ends in Iraq and continues in Afghanistan.'
Dr. Karlin said, 'We selected Wilmington Treatment Center because the facility is a leader in the effective treatment of mental health and substance abuse of men and women in service and afterward, as well as for the population as a whole as we address the national and state drug addiction crisis. According to HHS, North Carolina has 646,000 people who need but do not receive treatment; nationally there is a treatment gap of 20 million who need but do not receive treatment.'
In addition to Recovery Month, the event will celebrate the grand opening of the Charles S. Sharp Clinical Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Sharp served as Executive Director of Wilmington Treatment Center for 16 years before passing away in February.
The media and public are invited to the events free of charge. The emcee will be Wilmington Treatment Center Executive Director Robert Pitts. A luncheon follows.
Keywords: Addiction Medicine, Mental Health, Robert Weiner Associates.
This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
