The Government of British Columbia is partnering with Last Door Recovery Society to support the Year of Recovery as part of an ongoing public education campaign regarding drug and alcohol addiction.

Year of Recovery events will encourage and celebrate British Columbians who are recovering, or are stable in their recovery, from their drug or alcohol addictions. 

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is providing $50,000 to support Last Door Recovery Society as it promotes positive health and wellness, quality health-care delivery, and health education through the Year of Recovery.

“Hundreds of British Columbians are in recovery and many of them found their way, based on the inspiration shared by those with lived experience,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “With the unprecedented overdose crisis currently taking place in B.C., a Year of Recovery brings important focus on the many successes and positive life changes that continue to take place throughout the province.”

Year of Recovery features a variety of community events that support positive health and health-care delivery, and celebrates the many pathways to recovery. Local events will also foster inclusiveness and community connections with a focus on the broader recovery umbrella of mental health and addictions, including prevention, awareness and reducing stigma. 

A highlight of Year of Recovery is Recovery Week BC, held Sept. 3-8, 2018. This awareness week includes the second-annual Recovery Capital Conference of Canada on Sept. 6-7, and the Recovery Day BC Festival on Sept. 8. During Recovery Week BC, service providers will engage with the public to raise awareness about drug and alcohol recovery, and provide information about supports and services to people living with addiction.

“One way to help stop the overdose crisis is to inspire people with lived experience to share their stories of hope,” said Giuseppe Ganci, chair of Recovery Week BC, and director of community development at Last Door Recovery Society. “We cannot lose sight of people helping people during this crisis.”

“My journey in recovery has been difficult at times. However, the connections I made to people in recovery, and their welcoming encouragement, is one of the reasons I was able to come back after several overdoses,” said Michael Kalicum, a young man with experience in recovery. “My friends inspired me, these events connected me, and they make me want to be part of recovery.”

Additional outreach taking place during Year of Recovery includes “Clean Sober and Proud” outreach booths at various Pride event locations, as well as a “Sober Zone” and the annual “Untoxicated Street Festival” at Vancouver Pride in August 2018, one of North America’s largest substance-free Pride events.

“Events taking place during Year of Recovery will allow us to hear the voices of those who have been able to reduce the harm in their life by bundling resilience and determination,” said Jessica Cooksey, operations manager, Last Door Recovery Society.

Individual health literacy is an important part of mitigating the overdose crisis by building resilience. Year of Recovery will strengthen health literacy among British Columbians and will create connections, good friends, healthy environments, and sound knowledge and expertise that will help people find their path to recovery. In addition, Year of Recovery supports the Government of B.C.’s mandate to combat the overdose crisis. 

Learn More:

For more information about Year of Recovery, visit: http://www.RecoveryWeekBC.com

To learn more about Clean Sober and Proud, visit: http://www.CleanSoberandProud.com