Ten thousand people in recovery leaving Manhattan to march across the Brooklyn Bridge.

More than ten thousand people in recovery from alcohol and substance  abuse participated in a march across the Brooklyn Bridge on September 12th.  This included a large contingent of patients from medication assisted treatment  programs from all five boroughs of New York City and as far away as Albany.  This March was sponsored by the cable television channel A&E (Arts and Entertainment).  Featured speakers were OASAS Commissioner Karen Carpenter Palumbo and CSAT Director Dr. H. Westly Clark, and entertainment was provided by the legendary Smokey Robinson.

Rain does not dampen marchers' spirits as they cross into Brooklyn. From left to right: COMPA Executive Director Henry Bartlett, COMPA Treasurer Joseph LaCoppola, & COMPA President Peter Coleman at the pre-march rally in Manhattan.

Our patients showed, once again, that people utilizing pharmacotherapy can and do actively participate in all aspects of recovery.  COMPA President Peter Coleman stated; “It’s great to see so many of our patients publicly showing pride in their recovery and actively fighting against the stigma which has been a persistent problem in methadone treatment.”  COMPA Executive Director Henry Bartlett added; “Recovery is and should be a very individual thing.  For some patients recovery can only come through the use of medication assisted treatment.  I’m proud to be working in a modality with such a high success rate, and happy to be marching with so many people in recovery”.  COMPA Treasurer Joe LaCoppola said; “This event is moving in the right direction.  It’s bigger than last year, and in 2010 I want to see even more of our patients at this march”.

COMPA encourages persons interested in knowing more about our history, mission, and programs to contact us at:
911 Central Avenue, #322
Albany, NY  12206
 
518-326-6043

Or email: compahb@hotmail.com