Substance Abuse Professionals and State Leaders Meet to 'Make a Difference'

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- Substance abuse and addiction counselors, human services professionals, elected officials and policy makers will meet at the Governor’s Pavilion at the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City at 10:00 a.m. on April 24 for the “Great Awakening … An Invitation to Make a Difference” Substance Abuse Conference.
Governor Brad Henry and Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin will join keynote speaker William C. Moyers, vice president of external affairs for the Hazelden Foundation in Center City, Minn.

Moyers is a nationally known expert on substance abuse, addiction and recovery who has appeared on Larry King Live, the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Today show. His work has also been featured in the New York Times and Newsweek magazine.

One of Moyers’ key initiatives is “carrying the message” about addiction and recovery into the public arena. He uses his own personal experiences to highlight the power of addiction and the power of recovery.

He challenges his audience to put a face on recovery, explaining that everyone has a story to tell and everyone has been touched by someone who has had or presently struggles with substance addiction.

“Statistics show that Oklahoma is third in the nation in numbers of Methamphetamine labs,” said Kyle D. McGraw, Director of Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

“This event is being held to educate leaders in our communities and state about the number one health problem in Oklahoma by both showing them how addiction touches everyone and by encouraging a new openness about recognizing and treating this disease.”

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Substance Abuse Services Alliance, Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselors Association, Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery & Treatment Association and OKDHS sponsored this event.

For information about this event, contact Jan Tipton at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, (405) 275-3391. For more information on substance abuse, contact the OKDHS Office of Substance Abuse Services at (405) 521-6602. 

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