RECOVERING ADDICTS WORK FOR ACCEPTANCE

They have stood before cameras and walked the hallways of the General
Assembly trying to get-legislation passed that would expunge the criminal
records of most non--violent offenders, but members of Bluegrass People
Advocating-Recovery have another agenda they are just as passionate about.

They want us all to understand that recovering addicts are not-pariahs.

Many members of Bluegrass PAR are recovering addicts of-illegal drugs,
alcohol or prescription drugs, but they don't resemble the stereotypical
crackheads in the least. They are law-abiding and tax-paying neighbors and
friends who, because of their pasts, can't always find viable employment.

Not all recovering addicts are ex-offenders, but those who are have a
double roadblock to employment.

"Our goal is to put a positive face on recovery, so people are not thinking
about skid row," said Lynn Posze, a Bluegrass PAR member. "They might be
your neighbor or could be your doctor.

"We want to get the word out that people in recovery are good employees.
They can pass a drug test but not the criminal background test.

"People are not willing to give them a chance," said Posze, who is not a
recovering addict but has had relatives who were.

Robin Runge, coordinator with the Employment Justice Center in Washington,
D.C., testified before a congressional panel recently that having a
criminal record is often the primary barrier to employment for people in
recovery -- especially with the increase in criminal-background checks
after 9/11.

It goes further than that. Sometimes it hinders the recovering-addict's
participation in school-activities.

Tayna Fogle, 41, a former University of Kentucky women's basketball player
with a degree, was charged with possession of cocaine and a forged
instrument 14 years ago. She was convicted and served six years and nine
months.

Despite serving her time and successfully completing a recovery program,
Fogle can't find work in her field, therapeutic recreation.

Her conviction makes her ineligible for employment in schools or with
children, and she can't even find work as a forklift driver, a school bus
driver or in a factory.

"I can't go on field trips with my grandchildren because of my felony
conviction," Fogle said. "I can't work in a cafeteria or do anything around
children.

"I know my troubles are basically of my own making. I'm not saying this
town owes me anything. I'm just saying, let me go."

On Sept. 10, Bluegrass PAR will host RecoveryFest in Phoenix Park to help
employers and others meet and talk with recovering addicts such as Fogle
and Mike Barry, a former news anchor for WKYT-TV and WLEX-TV who is head of
PAR statewide. He is recovering from alcoholism.

The free event featuring food and entertainment will celebrate September as
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

RecoveryFest is far enough away for us to rid ourselves of our inhibitions
and fears long enough to understand the disease of addiction, and that will
help all of us be more accepting of those in recovery.

When we are less fearful, we will see that recovering addicts look just
like us.

Posze said that just as gays came out publicly to put a face on
homosexuality and just as the mentally ill have openly revealed their
disease, the stigma against recovering addicts won't ease until people see
just who is fighting addiction.

September is less than three months from now. Let's work on it.