Clients of the Salvation Army’s Harbour Light programme marched the streets of Hamilton yesterday as part of National Recovery Month.

Beverly Daniels, the charity’s executive director for social services, said the theme of this year’s march was “Recovery Works — If You Work It”.

She said that march served two purposes.

Ms Daniels explained: “One, we let the public know that we do have men in recovery who are proud of their recovery — if not they wouldn’t be walking publicly.

“Secondly, it sends a message to those who might need recovery.”

She said that this year’s route had been planned to pass areas where members of the public who may need recovery help might see the march.

Ms Daniels added: “We passed lots of men and women who could have been impacted by our statement.”

The theme for this year’s Recovery Month is “Join the voices for recovery. Our families, our stories and our recovery”.

A series of events are put on by the Department for National Drug Control, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and treatment agencies that focus on substance use, treatment and mental health services.