OCARTA Holds Rally 4 Recovery
OCARTA, the Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery and Treatment Association, hosted its Rally 4 Recovery event on April 23rd, 2015. Held on the at the 2nd Floor Rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol, it was attended by addiction and recovery programs supporting OCARTA in its mission to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans affected by addiction and recovery through its advocacy and educational efforts.
The OCARTA Organization
As part of its mission, OCARTA seeks the inclusion of the recovery community in shaping the social agenda of addiction and recovery. It envisions the recognition of addiction as treatable—and without stigma. The organization works towards addiction treatment as the goal, rather than criminalizing it or morally judging it. OCARTA works towards the goal of access to recovery for those who need it, regardless of gender, race or income.
OCARTA seeks cultural change in attitudes and perceptions upon which current policies and practices towards addicts and individuals in recovery are based. It is engaged in ongoing efforts to improve attitudes towards addiction and recovery, and its treatment.
OCARTA seeks to give voice to beliefs and perceptions of addiction and recovery that can result in changing existing harmful policies and practices, using education of political and economic interests that currently derive benefit from harmful addiction and recovery policies.
The organization promotes public education as a tool to bring about beneficial change. Personal stories of addiction and recovery are encouraged. Speaking out and telling others of successful recovery experiences is regarded as impetus for social action and change, and empowers citizen advocates to actively participate in addiction and advocacy efforts.
OCARTA Rally 4 Recovery at the State Capitol
On April 23rd, 2015, the OCARTA Rally 4 Recovery took place in Oklahoma City at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The event began at nine o’clock in the morning with booth set-up by rally participants, and the opportunity to meet attending legislators.
At ten o’clock, the event kicked-off with the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance by OCARTA’s Holly Simpson. Free to the public, the Rally 4 Recovery afforded attendees an opportunity to meet their state legislators, along with addiction and recovery programs, groups and professionals.
Recovery speakers shared their personal stories of addiction and recovery with those in attendance. Lunch and live acoustic music were provided as part of the event.
An estimated 15 treatment support and recovery programs, including Southeastern Oklahoma-based Narconon Arrowhead, came together on the 2nd Floor Rotunda of the State Capitol.
Volunteers set-up and manned a table where attendees could find out who their state representative or senator was, and which office he or she was in. They were then encouraged to go to that office, and speak with their legislator in-person on the issue of a lack of funding for treatment and recovery.
Terry White, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner spoke at the OCARTA Rally 4 Recovery. He also led event attendees in chanting “Recovery is Responsibility—Fund Addiction Treatment!” three different times; sending the message up through the five floors of the Capitol Rotunda. While the Oklahoma State Senate adjourned the day prior, all state representatives still in session experienced the presence of the event, and heard its message as the chant rang upwards.
Several hundred The Truth About Drugs pamphlets and DVDs were handed-out to attendees by Narconon Arrowhead representatives, effectively reaching people with fact-based drug education. The Truth About Drugs: Real People—Real Stories, a DVD featuring real-life stories of addicts and their recovery were also handed-out to event attendees.
The OCARTA Rally 4 Recovery was another effective step towards the goal of improving the quality of life for the thousands of Oklahomans affected by addiction and recovery.
