News Announcement: Recovery Month Celebrations Los Angeles, California          

August 27, 2004

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Candy Cargill-Fuller at 310-679-9216 x 261

L.A. Dodgers  Host Celebration of Freedom From Drug and Alcohol Addiction

More than 500 Dodger fans that have survived their experiences with alcohol and drug addiction will be featured at the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game on September 10 as part of the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

Behavioral Health Services, Inc. and Teen Challenge International in collaboration with national sponsors, the Johnson Institute and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Federal Government sponsor the special celebration.

“Recovery from alcoholism and other drug addiction is happening for millions of Americans,” said Candy Cargill-Fuller, coordinator of the Los Angeles event. “Too often, society focuses on the devastating health and societal consequences of addiction.

“But when addiction disease is appropriately diagnosed and treated, recovery brings many happy results,” she said. “Recovery happens frequently. Families heal. Money is saved. Life gets better. Recovering people give back. Everyone wins.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers join six other Major League Baseball organizations in sponsoring Recovery Month celebrations this September. Pre-game ceremonies and recognition of fans in recovery mark the event and furnish positive information to thousands of fans that addiction disease is a treatable illness with positive possibilities for recovery.

SAMHSA’s Recovery Month Celebration is in its fifteenth year and features hundreds of events throughout the United States honoring people in recovery and educating everyone on the effectiveness of treatment and recovery practices. Research demonstrates that although treatment is just as effective as treatment for other chronic conditions, only 10 percent of Americans in need of treatment actually receive it.