Treatment will be the focus of this year?s National Drug Commission (NDC) Addiction Recovery Month.

Recovery Month will kick off this month with a host of events designed to celebrate people who have escaped from substance abuse and addiction.

?The recovery month effort aims to promote the societal benefits of drug and alcohol drug use disorder treatment,? said Progressive Labour Party backbencher and former Minister of Health and Social Services Nelson Bascome at the NDC offices.

?We want to send the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use in all of its forms is possible. The initiative will celebrate people in recovery who have overcome stigma, and other barriers to treatment and as a result are leading healthy and productive lives. Contrary to popular belief we do have a number of those individuals in our community.?

He said that this year?s recovery month will focus on recognising people in the community who are working to help people with addictions. ?From health care professionals who proactively recognise and treat those disorders to employers and insurers who provide affordable treatment options to community and family members who offer acceptance and recovery,? Mr. Bascome said. ?The means to recovery often involves a group of caring individuals who support the recovery of the person and the person?s family members who are also affected.?

Planned activities include discussions on outreach and a transitional housing programme, the role of assessment in treatment, detox and overview of turning point, families and addiction. An addiction professional of the year award dinner at the Harmony Club on September 29.

For more information call the NDC at 292-3049.