Walk Supports Steps Toward Recovery

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On Sep. 10, hundreds will gather at Chicagos Washington Park to walk in support individuals recovering from addiction. The walk is the CDPHs way of celebrating the hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, the treatment/intervention and recovery providers that help them, and their families that support them. (Photo Courtesy of Chicago Department of Public Health)
On Sep. 10, hundreds will gather at Chicagos Washington Park to walk in support individuals recovering from addiction. The walk is the CDPHs way of celebrating the hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, the treatment/intervention and recovery providers that help them, and their families that support them. (Photo Courtesy of Chicago Department of Public Health)

by Thelma Sardin

On Sep. 10, hundreds will gather in Chicagos Washington Park to walk in support individuals recovering from addiction.

The Chicago Department of Healths (CDPH) 7th Annual Walk for Recovery is scheduled annually during the month of September to coincide with National Recovery Month.

The walk is the CDPHs way of celebrating the hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, treatment providers that help them and their families that support them.

The 2011 Recovery Month theme is Recovery Benefits Everyone emphasizing that all Americans have the opportunity to access care to improve their physical and emotional health.

Kelvy Brown, director, CDPH Office of Substance Abuse and Tobacco Control recently told the Chicago Citizen the events purpose.

We use the walk as a way to spread the word that treatment is effective and also celebrate all the Chicagoans who are in recovery from substance abuse, he said.

The CDPH partnered with Congressman Danny Davis seven years ago to develop a venue to inform Chicagoans that recovery from addiction is possible. From the partnership the Recovery Walk was born.

Brown says that it is important to encourage those who are on the road to recovery.

Recovery from an addiction is very difficult and we have to do everything we can to support these individuals because they have families, they need jobs, they maintain households and [they need to] stay out of jail and you cant do that if you are using, he said.

The route for the walk is 2.75 miles. The CDPH wants its message to be visible. Walkers will pass populated areas as opposed to last year when the route was in a more desolated area.

[We] really wanted to make sure we go through more populated areas with houses, storefronts and businesses where we can spread the message a little bit more to those that need it, he said.

The CDPH partners with several agencies, community based organizations and treatment centers for the annual walk.

Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. (HRDI). is an annual participant. HRDI is one of the largest behavioral health and human service providers in Illinois. The Chicago Citizen recently spoke with Joel K. Johnson, M.Ed., and HRDIs president/CEO to find out the organizations role in the walk.

This year, the agency will walk with a unique message for the community. Johnson and nearly 100 of the clients and staff representing HRDI will carry a banner paying homage to several creative geniuses in entertainment who have battled with mental health and substance abuse issues.

We decided to look at what we call creative geniuses, people throughout history particularly in entertainment and the arts who also struggle with substance abuse but contributed so much to our society and to try and really show those in recovery and those who are aspiring for recovery that they too can contribute and be valued for their contributions and to recover, said Johnson.

He added, Society and media focus on famous people so much. We marginalize those in our community that may be in crisis and struggle with addiction and substance abuse. Were trying to draw a link between the everyday people and celebrity people to show that were really not that different.

HRDI provides substance abuse and mental health services to over 8,000 clients throughout the city of Chicago in over 20 programs.

HRDI provides both inpatient residential treatments for mental health substance abuse as well as outpatient programs. We have a comprehensive approach to addressing and mediating substance abuse in Chicago, Johnson said.

Lastly, Johnson hopes walk participants leave the event reinvigorated and energized to help those on the recovery journey.

I hope that the participants, particularly our staff and clients are encouraged. [I hope] that the clients are encouraged to continue their personal recovery walk and that are employees are encouraged to continue to assist those lives and others in maintaining sobriety, he said.

A short introductory program leading into the event begins at 10:45 a.m... The walk kicks off at 11:30 a.m... A lunch will be provided for participants. The location is Washington Park (55th Street and Russell Drive - 1 block east of King Drive)

For more information contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at (312) 747-9823

Sources: www.cityofchicago.org/cdph

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