Recovering addicts celebrate recovery at downtown event

A group of women from a Washington treatment program helped kick off the annual Rally for Recovery on the Great Lawn Saturday morning.

It was a chance for recovering addicts to celebrate their sobriety with friends and family, and participate in a walk across the Big Four Bridge.

Mayor Greg Fischer attended the rally, along with the acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Michael Botticelli.

He's been sober for 26 years and said the stigma surrounding addicts must end.

"Putting a face on the disease of addiction and telling our stories is an important part of recovery month. It is why we are here today, to say that we won't remain and accept the shame too often associated with our disease," said Botticelli.

September is National Recovery Month, marking 25 years since its creation.

Here is the original post:
Recovering addicts celebrate recovery at downtown event