Community Meetings Set to Combat Addictions

Baton Rouge – The Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office for Addictive Disorders is inviting people throughout the state to a series of community meetings that address the issue of addiction. The goal of the meetings is to design strategies to combat alcoholism and drug dependency.

In addition, the Office for Addictive Disorders, in partnership with HopeNetworks, is using the community meetings to plan for Recovery Month in September. According to Michael Duffy, assistant secretary for the Office for Addictive Disorders, his office hopes to reach out and involve people from the entire state.

"An important key to recovering from an addiction is to know that your are not alone," Duffy said. "Even though almost all families experience distress because of an addiction by a loved one, it is common to think that we are alone in dealing with such a problem. Recovery Month allows us to celebrate the fact that recovery is possible when people unite."

The community meetings are free and open to the public. They will focus on those who are recovering from alcohol and other drug addictions. Family members and individuals are encouraged to attend. The meetings also are intended to bring together local community leaders, civic and business leaders, educators and members of faith-based groups.

Attached is a complete listing of the community meetings. For additional information, go online at www.WeRecover.org.