Philly Organizers Gear Up For Walk In Support Of Recovery From Addiction
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - September is national recovery month and local organizers are gearing up for the nation's largest Recovery Walk at Penn's Landing Saturday. Thousands are expected to participate.
More than 600 people died of drug overdose last year. That's 200 more than the year before, and as the city grapples with growing heroin addiction -- the Recovery Walk brings more than 20,000 people -- moms, dads, couples and friend s-- together to show people can recover.
"Many people are thriving in recovery and have really responsible lives," says Bervery Haverle, executive director of PRO-ACT.
The group has organized the Philadelphia Recovery Walk for 14 years. She says there's many myths about addiction and a lot of stigma, and their goal is to raise awareness, get more people into treatment and give hope:
"This is a problem that really has solutions and walking in the walk will be people who have taken advantage of the solutions."
The walk kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Great Plaza.