As correspondent Jim Ott wrote in the Nov. 29 edition of The Oakland Tribune, the 'Voices" contest gives teenagers who are making their way through substance abuse recovery the opportunity to put their experiences down on paper:
The contest encourages youngsters between the ages of 13 to 19 to write about their experiences in seeking drug and alcohol treatment. Designed to celebrate successes, the essay contest also helps spread the word that substance abuse disorders are not just bad habits, but treatable diseases.First place in the "Voices of Recovery" contest is a $500 prize. Second place is worth $150, and third place will net one writer $50.
"Our eventual goal is to remove the stigma associated with substance abuse and treat it for what it is a disease," said Sue Compton, chief executive officer for Axis [Community Health, which sponsors the contest]. ...
Through news releases, fliers distributed to Tri-Valley schools, and reaching out to young people who participated in the agency's drug and alcohol recovery program, Axis encourages teens to write about the impact long-term recovery has had on their lives through either their own experience or that of a person close to them.
For more about Axis Community Health or the "Voices of Recovery" essay contest visit www.axishealth.org or call 925-201-6017.
Labels: recovery, teenagers, contest, writing
Posted By: Aspen/CRC