Department of Human Services
For Immediate Release: September 4, 2009
CONTACT: Velda Bartel (605) 773-5990
Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal
Pierre, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds has proclaimed September as “Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month” in South Dakota.
This year’s theme, Together We Learn, Together We Heal, is the focus of efforts through the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, a division of the Department of Human Services. The division has collaborated with community based service providers, other states and federal partners in the development of “Recovery-oriented Systems of Care”.
“Research and effective treatment has long shown that the longer an individual is involved in a recovery support system, the better their success with sobriety.” Gilbert Sudbeck, Division Director for the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse said. “It is important to work with communities and recovery support services at the local levels to provide those services for the people we support.”
The Division has worked to strengthen and fund community-based services that provide individuals what they need to achieve and maintain their sobriety in their home communities. They are able to maintain their home, family and work relationships while they address their addictions and that’s a win-win scenario.
National statistics show that 10 percent of the population is chemically dependent and 80 percent of those people are NOT in recovery. With an adult population of 599,325 people in South Dakota, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2007 report[1], approximately 60,000 would be chemically dependent and 48,000 of those people would not be in recovery. People do not seek help for a variety of reasons and some of those reasons continue to be the stigma and shame they encounter and a widespread lack of knowledge and understanding of the disease.
The Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse wants to recognize grass roots initiatives and recovery-based programs that bring together community stakeholders attempting to reach out to those in need of recovery-based supports.
There will be several events around South Dakota to celebrate the 20th annual observance of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. These events include:
- September 15 – Youth and Family Services will hold an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. at the WesternPreventionResourceCenter located at 202 East Adams Street, Rapid City.
- September 16 – Keystone will host “Recovery Takes Flight” at 11:00 a.m. at the Sioux FallsOutpatientCenter located at 7511 South Louise, Sioux Falls, and at 1 pm at the Outpatient facility located at 1010 E. 2nd Street, Canton.
- September 19 – Choices Recovery will host a “Recovery in the Park” at SpellerbergPark, 22nd and Western Ave, Sioux Falls.
- September 22nd – Lewis and Clark, Human Services Agency, and other community organizations will host a “Recovery Walk” starting at 5:30 p.m. and a public presentation by former Miss SD, Alexandra Hoffman, presenting “Don’t Risk It, Keep Sports Health” at 6:30 at Mount Marty College, Yankton.
- September 24 – Southern Hills Alcohol and Drug programs in Hot Springs will have a table at Wells Fargo Bank displaying literature.
- September 25 – Bartels Counseling Services, Inc. is hosting an open house from 12 to 2 p.m. at 3101 W. 41st St., Suite 203 in Sioux Falls.
- September 28 – Community Prevention Stepping Stones will host a “Recovery Party” open to the public on September 28. The event will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Pathways, 900 W. Havens, Mitchell.
- September 30 – Capitol Area Counseling Services will host a celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce community room in Pierre.
[1] Source: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Selected Age Groups for the United States and States, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, 2007.
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