MINNESOTA RECOVERY CONNECTION PUTS A FACE ON RECOVERY
Over 5,000 people expected at Annual Walk to break stigma of addiction
Minneapolis, MN (August 31, 2018) – Over 23 million Americans are in long-term recovery from
a substance use disorder, offering living proof that people can, and do, recover from the disease
of addiction. To honor the recovery community and raise awareness about the need for
recovery support services, Minnesota Recovery Connection is hosting its 8th annual Walk for
Recovery on Saturday, September 15, at Lake of the Isles. The Walk, presented by NUWAY, is
the largest all-recovery celebration in Minnesota.
“The Walk for Recovery is a powerful and visible statement of how normal recovery is – that it
looks like you and me,” said Jeremy Drucker, Chair of Minnesota Recovery Connection’s Board
of Directors. “When we publicly celebrate and honor the recovery community, we are helping to
break the stigma of addiction that continues to harm so many Minnesotans.”
In its 2016 Legislative Report , the Minnesota Department of Human Services reported that
nearly eight percent of Minnesota’s adult population has an active substance use disorder, but
fewer than one out of every 10 will get the essential care and services needed for long-term
recovery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA), stigma disproportionately influences health outcomes for people with a substance
use disorder and prevents people from getting the help they need.
The Walk started in 2010 to counter misconceptions about substance use disorder, and it
highlights recovery successes. “NUWAY supports the Walk for Recovery and Minnesota
Recovery Connection because we believe recovery happens in the community, and we want
our clients and alumni to see that recovery is real and happens every day in Minnesota,” said
Monique Bourgeois, Community Relations Director for NUWAY.
The 2018 Walk for Recovery runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features family activities, food
trucks, community tables and live music from the Rhythm Roosters, a Minnesota Music Hall of
Fame R&B band. At 11 a.m., an Honor Guard of people celebrating ten or more years in
recovery will lead the walk around Lake of the Isles.
September is National Recovery Month, an annual observance sponsored by SAMHSA, within
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The observance raises awareness of
mental and substance use disorders, celebrates individuals in long-term recovery, and
acknowledges the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.
Minnesota Recovery Connection is offering public events throughout September to raise
awareness about recovery and substance use disorder, which is the number one cause of
preventable death in Minnesota. For more information about all events, or to register for the
Walk, visit www.minnesotarecovery.org/recovery-month .
MINNESOTA RECOVERY CONNECTION
Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC) is a nonprofit, grassroots, Recovery Community
Organization that strengthens the recovery community through peer-to-peer support services,
public education and advocacy. Rather than providing a particular model of care, MRC works to
mobilize community resources and remove barriers to recovery. MRC is one of only 9 Recovery
Community Organizations in the nation accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Peer
Recovery Support Services and is nationally recognized for its Recovery Coach Academy and
other peer services. For more information, visit www.minnesotarecovery.org .
