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Kentucky's 2008 Rally for Recovery
“STUDY WAR NO MORE!”
September 20, 2008 dawned blustery and threatened rain. By 11:00am, at the Ohio River Park where this year’s Rally for Recovery was taking place, the clouds were gone and the park was swelling with the serendipitous energy of recovery. “Kentucky-United in Recovery” was seen in license plates in the parking areas. Fayette, Jefferson, Floyd, Kenton, Rockcastle, Montgomery, Rowan, and Franklin were among the Kentucky Counties represented. Some of the cities represented were Morehead, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Mt. Sterling, Covington, Mt. Vernon, Dwale. There were even folks from Jeffersonville, Indiana—celebrating with us, and supporting our recovery in the time-honored way that these river cities have always shared their recovery.
This was to be no fledgling Kentucky happening. Last year’s kickoff event in September, “the first annual,” created a ripple effect across the Commonwealth; and, already, there had been Recovery Fests this summer from Hazard to Bowling Green. Northern Kentucky was having an event on the 20 th for persons who couldn’t make the Louisville event. Clearly, People are Advocating Recovery. Kentucky’s Recovery Celebration joined with events being held all over the country. They are sending a message to our General Assembly, to other statehouses, and to the nation’s Congress that has not been heard in nearly twenty-five years. Namely, recovery is happening for many people—without the help of statehouses and Congress, for the most part—and “We want you to know, Recovery Voices Count!” In an election year, messages like this carry an ominous echo.
Bagpipes opened the celebration with a reminder of the Amazing Grace that makes the journey of recovery possible for so many. The mellifluous voice of Mike Barry, PAR’s Executive Director and FAVOR Board Member, opened the day as the Master of Ceremonies by welcoming one an all for a day of games, lunch on the lawn, speakers from all over, and entertainment provided by Jeff Tuttle and his band. The first speaker set the tone for the seriousness behind the day: young Avery Bradshaw of Mount Vernon paid the highest entrance fee for the event. He lost both parents to the disease and works with Operation UNITE in his area to warn other young folks about the dangers of drug use and the possibilities for change that are available for those wanting recovery.
Throughout the day, speaker after speaker—a state senator, state officials, program directors, individuals in recovery, families in recovery, representing all paths to recovery—all spoke to the burning need to carry linked messages to lawmakers: “Recovery is possible and happening all over… many people and programs are bearing out that truth… still, too many die without even hearing about recovery… more researched interventions are needed… funding for research and resource development must be increased from all sources to meet current needs… dollars spent providing avenues to recovery return five or more dollars to the tax base… dollars spent treating the disease save untold health-cost dollars in other areas of the healthcare delivery system… criminalizing the disease of addiction costs lives, untold millions in healthcare losses and tax base losses, and increases the problem without improving the outlook… restoration of voting rights to convicted felons is a first step in remedying that injustice.” The first speaker after lunch led the crowd in singing “Down By the Riverside,” exhorting everyone to “lay down the sword held to the throats of still-suffering addicts,” and the shield of their oppression, to end the War On Drugs—a symbol of the nation’s failed drug policy—“and study war no more.”
Jeff Tuttle’s Band—the featured lunchtime entertainment—were not able to come. The members of the band are a family and they lost their mother to natural causes just the previous evening. Mr. Tuttle, responsible showman that he is, determined to come and provide the vocals to their recorded music tracks, and inspired the crowd with his lyrics and his message. The crowd expressed their sympathy for the loss his Band had suffered and their great appreciation for the artistry of Mr. Tuttle. His response, given by e-mail to Mike Barry was: “Thank you for everything. I can’t begin to tell you what an experience it was to be a part of the Recovery Rally! I am still in awe and have phoned about everyone I know and told them what a beautiful day it was. It was an honor to be a part of it… memories I will cherish the rest of my life. I have… played all across the country and in several other countries, but I HAVE NEVER [emphasis, Mr. Tuttle’s] felt as appreciated and loved as I was made to feel in Louisville, Saturday!!!”
A voter registration drive took place during the event. The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office brought a voting machine and conducted a mock vote, while teaching folks how to vote. Lunch tickets were given out when participants arrived and signed in, and a wonderful lunch was provided by The Healing Place. People everywhere commented on the beauty of the day and the event. A young woman with 8 days clean shared her thoughts that she was just dumbfounded to discover that this kind of celebration was a “normal” event for persons in recovery. She received a “HOPE Fiend” ball cap to remind her, when cravings hit, just what kind of fiend she was.
At 3:00pm, clouds again began to drive the sun from the sky—but the event was over. Everyone linked arms, singing the chorus while Mr. Tuttle led the verses. Once the circle had formed and the music died down—there was moment of silence for those who still suffer from the disease. Then, the crowd recited the Serenity Prayer—a religion-neutral prayer, used by many recovering persons. Chairs were stacked, tents struck, garbage removed. By 4:00pm, the field was abandoned and nearly every sign that more than one thousand recovering people had partied there was gone. Two questions remain…DID YOU VOTE??????WHERE’S THE PARTY, NEXT YEAR?!!!
James F. Recktenwald, CADC, MSW
Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center