BALTIMORE, MD (September 1, 2009) – The statistics are alarming: eight percent of Marylanders are dependant on, and/or abuse alcohol or illicit drugs; one out of five are between the ages of 18 and 25.  Those are just a few of the challenges facing state and local health officials as Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary John M. Colmers kicks-off Maryland’s recognition of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.  

“When you add up the lost human potential of so many young people to the crime, homelessness, and unemployment we see from the abuse of alcohol and drugs, the cost to all of us is staggering,” said John M. Colmers, DHMH Secretary. “Comprehensive treatment, prevention and education that targets the young and the not so young saves lives and money.” 

The Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration (ADAA) promotes the belief that in order to provide quality addiction prevention, intervention and treatment services, state government and communities must work together. Over 235,000 Marylanders were provided prevention services, and approximately 75,000 individuals received treatment in 2008.    

“Our goal is to create a seamless support system that recognizes and understands that addiction is chronic disease,” said Renata Henry, DHMH Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health and Disabilities. “We’re working towards a recovery oriented system of care and acknowledging the important role that family, peers, and the faith community play in the recovery process.” 

Secretary Colmers presented a proclamation from Governor Martin O’Malley declaring September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Maryland. He was joined by joined by Robert Hendricks from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the organization that has promoted this observance for the 20^th year. Kimberly Burton, Director of Older Adult Programs at the Mental Health Association of Maryland delivered the keynote address. 

“In the world of aging services, we know that it takes a multidisciplinary approach to address the complex and complicated circumstances of a person with needs on many levels,” said Kimberly Burton, MHA. “Working with older adults suffering with addiction and mental illness, we acknowledge and involve the physicians, the caregivers, the agencies on aging and even the meals on wheels volunteers as vital partners in care.” 

Treatment reduces substance use, homelessness and crime, and increases employment.  Research shows that each dollar spent on treatment saves approximately seven dollars in the costs of criminal justice, healthcare and lost productivity. 

DHMH and ADAA support and recognize all who struggle with the disease of addiction and its impact; and salutes those who are in addiction treatment and recovery.  

Today’s ceremony was held on the ADAA campus at the Spring Grove Hospital Center, in Catonsville. 

More information on other Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month events is available on the ADAA website at http://www.maryland-adaa.org/ under “A Look at What’s New”/”Annual Recovery Month Celebrations”