"Recovery Ambassadors," a revolutionary leadership training program designed to change the way Americans view addiction, is a new winning way to look at an old problem.
More than 3,000 Americans recovered from alcohol and other drug addiction are receiving leadership training in this exciting initiative. There have been workshops held in 33 cities as of December 31, 2005.
Sponsored by the Johnson Institute, "Recovery Ambassadors" training prepares people in recovery, family members and other supporters to advance public understanding and appropriate responses to chemical dependency, said Johnny W. Allem, president of the Institute. The program began January 2004.
The training program consists of one-day seminars in selected cities.
Course material includes recruiting volunteers, building messages, organizing community action, engaging policy makers, raising money and renewing team effort. The training seminars are conducted in collaboration with local groups within the addiction recovery community.
"The Recovery Ambassadors Program develops skilled leaders to carry the positive message of recovery," Allem said.
This effort is based on the clinically proven notion recovery works! People in recovery lead healthy lives, save society money and can contribute to a cause greater than themselves.
"This program is a vital resource for all recovering people, as well as families and friends, who strive to carry the message and seek to make a difference," said U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad of Minnesota.
The Johnson Institute, founded and led for more than 40 years by directors and officers who have experienced recovery from addiction, has long supported activism by people in recovery.