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Recovery in the News
Ex-addicts share tales of recovery
Lanz Christian Bañes
Vallejo Times-Herald
September 13, 2009
After returning from the Vietnam War, Steve Wynn descended into addiction.
"I tried every drug ... to fix that pain and suffering, but I couldn't do it. But two years ago, Jesus did it for me," the 59-year-old Crockett man said of finally kicking his destructive habits.
Wynn's story of struggle and recovery were just one of many testimonials told Saturday at City Park during the eight annual Recovery Rally and Barbecue.
"This is a day of celebration, a day they can celebrate all they have worked for," said Carol Roberts, co-chairperson of the Prevention and Recovery Alliance.
The recovery alliance and Fighting Back Partnership sponsored the event, which featured lunch, speakers and resource booths for those who want to know more about recovery programs.
The rally is part of National Recovery Month, a 20-year-old program established by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
This year's keynote speaker was the Rev. Eugene Williams III, CEO of Regional Congregations and Neighborhood Organizations. Williams spoke about increasing compassion within the community.
"Each and every one of us needs to be at peace with ourselves," Williams said to the crowd.
The recovery alliance also presented several people with the James McCarver Jr. award, named after a local recovery advocate who died several years ago. This year, Kester McDonald of Genesis House, Michael Brown of Michael's Transportation, Kay Bosick of Youth and Family Services and Ray Courtemanche of Mission Solano received the award.
"We have all made mistakes, failed and fallen in our lives. But we were given another chance. To me, that's what recovery is all about," Brown said.
The recovery alliance formed about 12 years ago and began by having recovered people give testimonials at the county's Board of Supervisors meetings, said Lloyd Gieg, co-chairperson of the alliance.
After the testimonials kept getting longer, the alliance decided to have a full rally instead, Gieg said. The first several recovery days were held in Fairfield; the last three have been in Vallejo's City Park.
Organizers estimate about 450 people attended this year's rally.
For information about recovery and treatment programs, contact Genesis House at (707) 557-3165 or the Southern Solano Alcohol Council at (707) 643-2715.
Contact staff writer Lanz Christian Bañes at (707) 553-6833 or lbanes@thnewsnet.com.
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