September 17

HELP NOT HANDCUFFS; ASBURY PARK HOSTS FIRST STATEWIDE RECOVERY MONTH EVENT

Posted by thebplot on September 17, 2015 in Non Profits, RSVP > calendared events

Asbury Park’s Paramount Theater and boardwalk will serve as host to New Jersey’s first statewide recovery month event, “New Jersey Celebrates Recovery,” Sunday (Sept. 20).

“We hope to inspire and show that recovery from substance use disorders is possible,” said Randy Thompson, Asbury Park resident and tireless founder of Help Not Handcuffs. “This event will connect the recovery community with the general community to show that addiction is a human issue and hopefully begin to eliminate the stigma and unnecessary criminalization often suffered by those with substance use disorders.”

Speakers at the event will include, State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak an long-time advocate for recovery issues in the State Legislature (as well as GLBT rights); Anne Wallace Light, Recovery Coach recently featured on MSNBC. Entertainment will include a comedic performance from May Wilkerson and Patrick Holbert, both of whom are in recovery and have learned to make others laugh by sharing their experiences. Kathy Moser an award-winning musician in recovery will be performing musical sets.

Health services will include onsite rapid STD testing, Narcan training for those who pre-register and access to a host of service providers.

September is National Recovery Month. “New Jersey Celebrates Recovery” at the Paramount Theater (photo courtesy The Coaster) in Asbury Park begins at 1 pm (Sept. 20). The event is free and open to the public but registration is required at CelebrateRecoveryNJ.com. For more about Thompson’s organization, visit HelpNotHandcuffs.org.