Contacts:Candy Cargill-Fuller, 310-679-9126 ccargill-fuller@bhs-inc.org

Barbara Spille, 818-996-1051 bspille@tarzanatc.org

NEWS ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Health Officials and Advocates Celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

WHAT:            In September 2005, the 16^th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month will be recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and by individuals in recovery from alcohol and drug problems.  The month is set aside to highlight the strides made in substance abuse treatment and to educate the public that addiction is a chronic, but treatable, public health problem that affects all citizens.  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors are sponsoring Rally For Recovery, an event consisting of invited speakers, testimonials and health exhibits, and will be the kick-off to a series of events that honor individuals who are leading health and productive lives in recovery and who have overcome stigma, and other barriers to treatment.

WHEN:            Wednesday, August 31, 2005, 11 am - 2 pm

WHERE:         Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration- Mall Area

  500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA

WHY:              Results from a 2004 survey show that as many as 63 percent of Americans say that addiction to alcohol or other drugs has had an impact on them at some point in their lives.  Treatments for these diseases are as effective as treatments for other chronic conditions - yet nationally, 20.3 million people needed but did not receive treatment in 2003.  California had the largest total number of persons 12 and older who needed but did not receive treatment for an illicit drug problem, approximately 2 million persons, which is over 11 percent of the total number nationally (Source: oas.samhsa.gov).  The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services reported binge drinking by 18 percent of underage adults and 20 percent of teens in a recent survey (lapublichealth.org).