September is National Recovery Month and The Center for Prevention and Counseling, in conjunction with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of New Jersey, hosted an event organized by local recovery advocacy volunteers at Sussex County Community College’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, September 29, 2016. The message of the evening and name of the event was “Recovery is Real.” 
Prosecutor Francis Koch opened the night by speaking about the impact that addiction has throughout the community and how recovery can have an even greater impact by guiding those with substance use disorders to live even better lives of productivity and service. “People that have overcome addiction are true heroes and they demonstrate that recovery works.”
Putting a face and voice to long-term recovery, Regina Hannapple, a recovery coach with the C.L.E.A.R. Program, shared how, “Through the miracle of recovery, I am now able to be a loving wife and mother, daughter, sister and friend. I have a home, a good job and I look forward to the future. This was something I couldn’t do before.” Joel Pomales, Recovery Specialist at Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Clinical Outreach Coordinator at SOBA College Recovery also offered insight into how family and community support can be vital in helping people to recover. “After returning home from treatment, I was able to live in a home with other men in recovery. I needed to surround myself with positive people and I learned how to work hard and be accountable and responsible.”
Mary Burns spoke as a mother that received the phone call every parent dreads. “My son died due to an overdose at the very young age of twenty-two. After my son asked me for help–and I stress that he asked for help–I was unable to get him the appropriate level of care that I now realize he truly needed. Addiction is a disease and we need to start treating it like one! Proper and timely treatment saves lives.”
Becky Carlson of the Center for Prevention and Counseling awarded Newton Police Chief Michael Richards with a certificate of special recognition for “developing innovative and proactive policy” for his contribution to the C.L.E.A.R. Program. “Recovery is possible, recovery is real and recovery benefits everyone,” Richards said.
Assistant Prosecutor Jerry Neidhardt awarded local law enforcement who administered Narcan between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 to individuals experiencing symptoms of opioid overdose in Sussex County. Narcan, a lifesaving antidote for opioid overdose, has been utilized over 80 times in the last 18 months within the county. The evening highlighted the lifesaving attempts of the 54 Sussex County law enforcement officers who were honored for their actions. Award recipients included officers from Andover, Byram, Franklin, Hamburg, Hardyston, Hopatcong, Newton, Ogdensburg, Sparta, Stanhope, Vernon and the New Jersey State Police. After receiving his award, Ptl. Shawn Burke of Newton PD, shared the story of a Good Samaritan who recently made a difference in the survival of a community member. Burke asked Jeanelle LeMay to come up to the stage as he publicly recognized her for assisting in the rescue of a stranger she encountered experiencing an overdose in a public place of business.
The night was closed by Katie Calvacca and Annmarie Shafer of The Center who shared the many recovery support resources and services available in our county, thanked local law enforcement for their dedication to community members and invited all those in attendance to get more involved. To find out more about prevention, treatment and recovery, visit www.centerforprevention.org and contact Katie at 973-383-4787 or katie@centerforprevention.org.