Addiction addressed, recovery celebrated

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Putting up signs at Hands Across the Bridge Friday.

By Stephanie Smith

LEWISTON – September is National Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery month and on Friday people from both sides of the river spanned the Interstate Bridge in support of recovery in something called Hands Across the Bridge.

"What we are trying to do is a prevention event to show families that there is fun for families without drugs or alcohol and to also show the number of lives that are touched by addictions, whether it is alcohol or other substances and also to show others that there is hope in recovery,” said Sherry Greenup, Asotin County Substance Abuse/Mental Health Coordinator.

There were speeches by those touched by alcohol and other drugs. Greenup says addiction is a huge problem in the Valley.

“It's a very inter-generational, especially alcohol. It's been seen as a right of passage and ‘at least my kids aren't doing drugs’ kind of thing, but I think that most people do know somebody, a lot of people are really good at hiding it, whether it is a neighbor or family friend or a spouse or sibling. 1 in 5, at least, they say are touched by alcoholism.”

Greenup said she has heard lots of stories over the years, but it was an addicted child that really touched her.

“One was from a 12-year-old who was already in treatment for addictions.” Greenup said. “And the reason that she was in treatment for addictions was that her family encouraged her and shared it with her. It's part of what they did and she was strong enough to say I don't want to do this anymore and went out for treatment and so for me it was a really touching story to go ‘wow that young.’”

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