A reception to welcome the Heroin and Opioid Art Exhibit in Sussex County, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, NY/NJ Division High Intensity Drug-Trafficking Area, Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will be held in collaboration with the Center for Prevention and Counseling and the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council.

Artwork from local artists depicting the effects of substance use as well as the joys of recovery will adorn the walls of The Center’s Recovery Community Center at 65 Newton Sparta Road with a public reception held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 6-8PM. Featured speakers, who have journeyed through addiction into recovery, will share the process by which artwork impacted their lives and their recovery process. Submissions also include pieces by those struggling with addiction as well as creations by family and friends.

This event is an opportunity to experience an understanding of how our art can begin to generate awareness, initiating hope while offering a venue for healing from substance use disorders. A “People’s Choice” winner will be chosen at the event where the public is encouraged to vote for their favorite work of art.

Annmarie Shafer, Director of Recovery Support Services at The Center encourages anyone to attend to learn more about the variety of local addiction recovery supports available in our county. “We have a wonderful Recovery Community Center in Sussex County offering a warm and welcoming place for individuals and families to learn about recovery, flourish in recovery and give back to the community at large as they regain their lives in recovery.” said Shafer.

September was National Recovery Month. There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. Since these successes often go unnoticed by the broader population, Recovery Month provides a time to celebrate these accomplishments. Each September, tens of thousands of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and facilities around the country celebrate National Recovery Month. They speak about the gains made by those in recovery and share their success stories with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues. In doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and furthers a greater understanding about the diseases of mental and substance use disorders.

Now in its 29th year, National Recovery Month highlights the achievements of individuals who have reclaimed their lives in long-term recovery and promotes the message that recovery in all of its forms is possible, encouraging citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need. With support from the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council, The Center for Prevention and Counseling is inviting the public to enjoy refreshments, browse artwork and find encouragement to be further inspired with creativity and a recovery focus at this special event.

The Heroin and Opioid Art Exhibit will be on display throughout the month of October, 2018 at The Center’s Recovery Community Center, open from 9am until 5pm M-F. The Center for Prevention and Counseling has been enhancing the climate of addiction recovery supports in Sussex County through recovery-focused educational events, new formats of recovery meetings, an increased understanding of a new recovery advocacy movement and the creation of the Recovery Community Center at 65 Newton-Sparta Road. Text @recovery65 to 81010 and receive a text message about all upcoming events at The Center or, for more information, contact The Center at (973)940-2966 and/or visit www.centerforprevention.org  or Facebook and Instagram @SussexCountyRecoveryCommunity