Community Invited to Salem Recovery Event in Bush’s Pasture Park

Bush Park Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - “Recovery Rocks” is the theme of a September 16th public event to celebrate the success of people recovering from addictions and mental illness.

The Saturday event is one of many scheduled across the state and nation as part of the 17th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. It will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Bush’s Pasture Park and is open to people in recovery, their families and all who are interested.

There will be door prizes, children’s activities and snacks. Picnics are encouraged.

“This is an opportunity to talk with people about how recovery builds stronger, healthier communities,” said Claudia Wilcox of Salem, an Oregon Department of Human Services employee who is organizing the event. “Addictions affect most people in some way so we’re inviting everyone – whether they’re in recovery, know someone who is in recovery or just want to learn more.”

The event will be in the Bush Park section directly west of the soapbox derby track where food booths set up for July’s Salem Art Fair. Wilcox said the event would feature 12 informational booths, and that the first 150 people who attend will be able to pick up 12 rocks with the underlying principles of recovery (e.g., honesty, faith, integrity, humility, service).

Among organizations sponsoring booths are No Meth in My Neighborhood, Family Building Blocks, YES House, Recovery Association Project, Dual Diagnosis Anonymous, Faith-based Recovery, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Oregon Indian Council on Addictions, Project Able, Alcoholics Anonymous, Public Gambling Services and the DHS Office of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Native American drummers and several speakers are scheduled.