Video: Min. Wilson On National Recovery Month

Good afternoon,

Ladies and gentlemen, today the Ministry of Justice and the Department of National Drug Control joins the US and other jurisdictions around the world in proclaiming September as National Recovery Month.

Now in its 23rd year, Recovery Month is an observance which aims to educate the public on the fact that addiction treatment services can enable those with substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

Recovery Month highlights individuals who have reclaimed their lives and are living happy and healthy lives in long-term recovery and also honours the prevention, treatment, and recovery service providers who make recovery possible.

Recovery Month also promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible, and also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need.

And Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.

Ladies and gentlemen, over the course of the next four weeks it is our aim to celebrate people who are in recovery.

Today I am joined by some of our treatment service providers.

Ladies and gentlemen, these individuals are on the front line of treating and counseling individuals suffering from substance issues, back to health. And I want to take this opportunity to publicly commend and thank them for their vigilant efforts to assist our residents who require this vital service.

To raise the public awareness of Recovery Month, the Department of National Drug Control has planned a series of events aimed at engaging and educating the community about importance of supporting those who are recovering or who have successfully recovered from a substance dependency.

It is our hope is that through these activities, people will recognize that while the road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and overcoming mental and/or substance use disorders are significant and valuable.

Some of the events include a series of radio talk programmes on local stations, a soccer tournament at Devonshire Recreation Club honouring the late Nelson Bascome, who you will recall was a drug treatment counselor and a walk sponsored by the Women’s Treatment Centre.

Finally ladies and gentlemen as you would be aware, mental and/or substance use disorders not only affect those who are suffering, but also their families, friends, and the larger community, so this underscores how crucial it is to provide access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.

Substance abuse of any kind is a huge affliction on our society which has resulted in a tremendous human cost. It breaks bonds between parents and children and turns productive individuals into addicted and destructive personalities.

We are a small community and I think it’s safe to say that there’s not a person on this Island who in some way or another hasn’t been affected by substance abuse.
Like me, they may have a family member who is dealing with a dependency issue or a friend or coworker who is struggling.

So, I strongly support the recognition of recovery month and I encourage all of Bermuda to be mindful of this observance.

I must commend the Department of NDC for highlighting initiatives such as these, which assist in teaching our community about the need to not only address the dangers of substance abuse, but to also let people know that there is help available.
Through the Department of NDC this Government has engaged in a coordinated effort to reach out and assist those needing help to overcome their dependency issues.

So, this September, I call upon the people of Bermuda to embrace recovery by celebrating National Recovery Month, because prevention works, treatment is effective and people do recover.

Thank You.

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