Some 20 clients, staff members and supporters of the Salvation Army marched proudly through the streets of Hamilton yesterday morning in the name of addiction recovery.

The walk was one of several events being staged during the month of September which is designated Recovery Month.

This is the seventh edition of the event, aimed at highlighting “the struggle of addiction and the toil it has on the social fabric of Bermuda”.

Wearing red shirts and carrying red balloons as a show of support for the cause, recovering addicts chanted “What do we want? Recovery! When do we want it? Now!” as they handed out leaflets to members of the public.

Marching in solidarity, programme director at the charity’s addiction treatment centre Harbour Light and the aftercare Life Skills programme Augustina Raynor told The Royal Gazette: “Bermuda is definitely moving forward and changing when it comes to addiction, henceforth why we have this walk every year highlighting Recovery Month.

“Recovery is about all of us not just the person in addiction. Anybody who is in a recovery mindset understands it is a disease of addiction — it is a disease and can be put into remission.”

The Salvation Army is one of many resources available to those battling addiction in Bermuda. The Department of National Drug Control is organising a two-day substance and abuse prevention faith-based summit tomorrow and Thursday. Those interested in attending can e-mail kleve@gov.bm

Anyone wishing to donate to the Salvation Army, or anyone seeking further information about the charity, can do so via the website www.salvationarmy.ca/bermuda