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Among those at the 2004 Recovery Walk who were determined to give something back was Lynda Ziemba from Asbury Park, who spoke of the "humble pride" she takes in her recovery from alcoholism. Ziemba is working at a family-support center in her hometown as part of her effort to make amends to the community.

Ziemba's addiction more than eight years ago caused her to leave her family and ultimately to attempt suicide. Recovery has afforded her the chance to reunite with her loved ones. Ziemba summed up what many who have found a way out of active addiction understand: Recovery, she said, "has given me a life."

Lloyd Fentress of Vineland, abstinent for five months, is still in the early stages of recovery, but spoke about helping others still in the grips of addiction. Fentress said he had found freedom from the isolation he had entered in his addiction. By coming forward about his addiction, Fentress said he was letting others still actively addicted know that there was help available, that they're "not alone."

Speaker Stacia Murphy, president of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), she was "impressed by the amount of activity and the commitment" shown at the event, which she said "shows a sincere belief by the community that it's important to put a face on recovery." Murphy told the crowd that such visible advocacy is required to remove "the blight" of stigma that continues to manifest itself in the form of discrimination against people who have had an addiction to alcohol or other drugs. "Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a medical condition, not a moral failing," said Murphy.

From left to right: Recovery Walk Speakers, Ivette Torres, Stacia Murphy and Carolann Kane-Cavaiola

That message was also contained in a proclamation signed by Gov. James McGreevey and read at the Recovery Walk by Carolann Kane-Cavaiola, assistant commissioner of the state Division of Addiction Services. The document read, in part, that "addiction is a disease from which people can recover."

Department of Human Services Commissioner Jim Davy took note of the size of the crowd in the less-than-hospitable weather and said it was "testimony to the growing spirit of recovery" in New Jersey. The commissioner thanked those who were willing to break their anonymity to help dispel the discrimination toward addiction and to "highlight the need for treatment." The need for expanded treatment is perhaps the most pressing addiction issue in the state; Davy said as few as 25 percent of those who need treatment for addiction are able to find it. Davy said that while there are many reasons why 75 percent do not receive the care they need, he said it was intolerable that treatment is often unavailable to those who try to access it.

Department of Human Services Commissioner Jim Davy

The Recovery Walk was sponsored by Friends of Addiction Recovery-New Jersey (FOAR-NJ). "Our work is to continue this celebration each and every day," said FOAR-NJ's project director, Yury Tarnavskyj. "We are the tenders of this spirit (of recovery)."

Tom Farley, brother of the comedian Chris Farley, who died of a drug overdose, came to the Walk from Wisconsin. "When Chris was doing all his great work on Saturday Night Live was when he was in recovery," he said. "The rest of the world needs to know there's a lot of value in people in recovery." Farley, who helped to found Think.Laugh.Live., a program established to educate adolescents about the dangers of drug and alcohol use, noted that Chris's addiction was proof that no segment of society is immune to the disease's effects.

Ivette Torres, associate director for Consumer Affairs at the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, urged the audience to "be proud of recovery ... be proud that you give back to your families and your communities."

Carlton Blue is not in recovery, and was not participating in the Recovery Walk on Sept. 18, having come to Liberty State Park to celebrate his 35th birthday. Still, he said he had seen addiction undo the lives of people he had regarded as heroes, people who had been successful but had lost their homes and families to alcohol or other drugs. He expressed an understanding about the ongoing nature of recovery, echoing the words of FOAR-NJ'S Tarnavskyj in describing recovery from addiction as "a daily celebration."

On this day, the celebration concluded with the Recovery Walk itself, a trek through Liberty State Park that headed directly into the stiff north wind.

SEEN AND NOTED ~ NEWS STORIES

Star Ledger
Bergen Record
Join Together
Recovery Walk Chairwoman Editorial
Friend's Newsletter, October 2004

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