HELPING PEOPLE GET OVER ADDICTIONS

The enduring purpose statement of Cornerstone Recovery Services: "We
believe in the capacity of people to transform themselves."

There has been much discussion recently in our community around the
issue of transformation. It is often a question of belief and faith
whether anyone can transform themselves and their life. It is an
important question that needs a clear answer.

Cornerstone Recovery Services is a chemical dependency recovery
services provider. The cornerstone of our work is the belief that
people are capable of recovery from the cunning and vicious disease
of addiction. We are fortunate to see this transformation in our work
many times a day.

The disease of addiction is a costly one. It is estimated that the
cost of untreated addiction to drugs and alcohol in the United States
is $276 billion in lost productivity, law enforcement, health care,
justice, welfare, and other programs and services.

On a very human level, the cost is a child "forgotten" at Little
League practice, a distraught spouse, embarrassed silence at a family
gathering and any number of deeply personal and hurtful episodes that
will reverberate through the history of countless families right in
our community.

The disease of addiction is all too common as well. It strikes one in
ten Americans. Every day 300 Americans die of alcoholism. This number
is even higher when we add the number of deaths due to drugs other
than alcohol.

In 1999, 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States
were alcohol related. It is fair and accurate to say that each and
every one of us is acquainted with someone whose life has been
significantly impacted by chemical dependency and its aftermath.

Although it is a demanding and life-long task, people can and do
recover from the disease of addiction with the proper treatment and
support. This support comes from families, friends, treatment
providers, and the community.

What can the community do to support someone on the life long road of
recovery? In my estimation, we must be willing to embrace the belief
that an individual is capable, with help, of changing into the person
they wish to be.

We all know the power of belief and faith. If you have experienced
this, you know the power this faith had to transform you into the
outstanding person you always imagined yourself to be.

Therefore, I ask each and every one of you to be an empowering person
in the life of someone who may be struggling with chemical abuse or
addiction.

Dare to believe in their capacity to transform themselves.

Dare to believe that they can and will continue that transformation
over the rest of their lives.

Dare to be an example of faith and belief and support.

William J. Rusen,

Executive director, Cornerstone Recovery Services