National Recognition to Celebrate Those in Recovery for Mental and Substance Use Disorders 

Tampa, FL (September 12, 2012)  – In acknowledgment of National Recovery Month this September, LiveFree! Coalition encourages the community to recognize the importance of recovery and learn the best way to get help for those in need of substance abuse and mental health treatment.

National Recovery Month is an initiative sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in an effort to promote societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders and celebrate people in recovery.

Operation PAR, the fiscal agent of the LiveFree! coalition, is a comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization offering evidence-based substance abuse prevention and treatment for families in need. The agency is an active member of the coalition and is responsible for administering the 1-888-PAR-Nextinformation and referral hotline to help individuals and families access treatment and supportive services when in need.

LiveFree!’s message is about prevention and building effective recovery-oriented systems of care is a big piece of this.  This means we need to better equip families and communities with the tools necessary to recognize signs and symptoms and intervene when necessary to get help to those in need, said Jackie Griffin, executive director of the coalition. “Our 1-888-PAR-NEXT information and referral line is a great tool to get the right help to those in need.  We want to make sure our entire community is aware of this resource,” says Griffin.

To kick-off Red Ribbon prevention activities in October, the coalition is collaborating with MADD [Mothers Against Drunk Driving] in the annual “Walk Like MADD” 5K, which will be held on October 5. This nation-wide event promotes the education and prevention of drunk driving and is scheduled at 6 p.m. Indian Rocks Beach.

For more information about the events, please visit the calendar on the LiveFree! website or contact Jennifer Vickery (813) 865-3093.

About LiveFree! Coalition: LiveFree! is a coalition that raises awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse among youth, young adults and adults in Pinellas County. By offering trainings, town hall meetings, a Speaker’s Bureau and awareness events, LiveFree! encourages the Pinellas County community to live safe, healthy and drug-free. For more information, visit www.pinellascoalition.com