ST. GEORGE — In September, businesses, organizations and community leaders throughout Southern Utah will join together in showing support for individuals in recovery from addiction. Several activities are planned throughout the month, culminating with the Sept. 23-25 Utah Fall Substance Abuse Conference held in St. George this year.
Main thoroughfares in St George and Cedar City will be lined with red ribbons Tuesday, and businesses throughout the communities will begin displaying red lights to show support for those in recovery.
September also marks the launch of the “My name is …” campaign, which is designed to raise awareness about addiction recovery. “My name is …” offers an opportunity for recovering addicts to proudly identify themselves, share their stories and be honored for their effort to live an addiction-free life.
A press conference and ribbon cutting will launch the campaign at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Therapia Addiction Healing and Recovery Center, 120 W. 1470 South in St. George. A ribbon cutting conducted by the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce will follow at 2 p.m.
“Rarely do we take the time to honor those in recovery,” said Splendor Sargent, Therapia business development director. “We work with so many individuals who give everything to overcome addiction. As a community, this is our opportunity to show our support for those in the recovery process and to empower those who have overcome one of life’s most difficult challenges.”
Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson and City of St. George Mayor Jon Pike are declaring September “Recovery Awareness Month” for their communities, Wilson having signed a proclamation Aug. 26 and Pike signing a proclamation Thursday.
Friday, the “My Name Is …” campaign will make its presence felt at George, Streetfest on Main in St. George, where local artists will be selling special edition “Red for Recovery” T-shirts. Several recovery agencies will gather in an area designated “The Red Zone” near the Main Stage to show solidarity, support and discuss various recovery programs and services.
Recovery Awareness events continue Sept. 12 with a 9 a.m. Mud Run at Staheli Family Farm, 3400 S. Washington Fields Road in Washington, hosted by two athletes from American Ninja: Brian Beckstrom and John Stewart.
On Sept. 22, the Fall Recovery Classic tournament at The Ledges Golf Club, 1585 W. Ledges Parkway in St. George, hosted by Therapia, will tee off the three-day Utah Fall Substance Abuse Conference to be held in St. George.
Southwest Utah Recovery Day Celebration happens at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 in the Town Square, 50 S. Main Street in St. George. The celebration will be hosted by Southwest Behavioral Health Center, with Pike presiding as families, friends and community members in recovery release 200 red balloons in honor of someone they love in recovery or their own recovery journey.
Additional ways to support Recovery Awareness Month include purchasing and displaying a $5 red lightbulb from Wilkinson’s Lighting, Cherry Creek Radio, Therapia and supporting businesses. Campaign wristbands and red ribbons will be available at George, Streetfest in The Red Zone. All proceeds will be donated to the Southern Utah peer mentoring program, Recovery Outreach, a nonprofit organization.
Resources
- Print September Recovery Awareness Month flyer: September 2015 is Recovery Awareness Month | Flyer
- Therapia Addiction Healing and Recovery Center | Website
- Contact: Splendor Sargent | Email | Telephone 435-862-5663.
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Red ribbons. Celebrations. A whole month of activities. How proud we are of our druggies! Talk about a huge draw for tourism.it could be a yearly event, like a doper’s convention and offer 2 for1 rides on the merry go round. Fun for the whole family.” Druggie Huggers”
Where is the “like” button for this? I wonder if they roll out the red carpet too? Just think, you too can buy the red lights to light up the town. How nice!
I would hope our law enforcement checks these ROLE MODELS for warrants.
Maybe there is so many druggies because the LDS addiction programs don’t work??? mormons, any thoughts?
I can’t wait for a large 401 c rehab center home to open in my neighborhood.
Give it time there will be one on every street