Vermont Green Mountain Recovery Walk Tackles Drug, Alcohol Abuse

According to the Vermont Health Department news release, the 2nd Annual Green Mountain Recovery Walk will begin on September 15th between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to help celebrate all those amazing people who have defeated drugs and alcohol.

The 2nd Annual Green Mountain Recovery Walk is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Vermont Department of Health and is hoping to have at least 350 people participating. The event is celebrating the recovery of everyone who has gotten out of the rut that drugs and alcohol abuse put them in. It also celebrates the 8,000 Vermont residents who are at this moment enrolled in a drug and alcohol treatment program in the state.

Patty McCarthy who is the Director of Friends of Recovery Vermont states that "The Walk is a celebration of recovery for everyone recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, their family members, friends and other allies, it is also a symbol of hope that long-term recovery is not only possible, but is a reality for many Vermonters."

The one mile walk will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 12 p.m. at the Montpelier State House, located at 115 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont. As well as the walk, the celebration will have speakers, musicians, booths, a magician and a voter registration booth for those who want to register to vote. Family and friends of those who have gotten their life back as well as those who have kicked their drug and alcohol habit will be there showing others that recovery is possible and that hope is not far away.

According to the Department of Health and Humane Services, an estimation of 20.4 million Americans in 2006 were currently illicit drug users. Illicit drugs include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, inhalants, hallucinogens and prescription drugs. Marijuana is the most commonly used drug. In 2005, 14.8 million people were using marijuana, 2.4 million were using cocaine, 1 million were using hallucinogens, and 7million were using prescription type drugs. The report also showed that in 2006, 10.2 million people 12 and older were reported to be driving under the influence of illicit drugs.