Stand Up for Recovery Day is an annual event hosted by Friends of Recovery - New York, bringing together individuals from the recovery community to advocate for policies that support those in recovery. The goal is to raise awareness, influence policy, and educate lawmakers about the community's needs. By engaging in dialogue with legislators, participants advocate for issues like increased funding, support for peer recovery services, and other key initiatives.
This year's event took place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Empire Plaza Convention Center at the New York State Capital in Albany. The day is marked by rallies, educational workshops, and personal testimonies that aim to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and promote the message that recovery is possible.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a complex disease that alters a person's brain and behavior, making it hard to quit even for those who want to stop. Symptoms can be moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUD. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.2 million adolescences aged 12 to 17 suffered from a SUD. Of these, approximately 757,000 were an alcohol use disorder.
While alcohol represents a higher rate of substance use, opioid-involved deaths have been substantially increasing over the years, resulting in the Opioid Epidemic. Nearly 108,000 people died from drug overdose in 2022 and approximately 82,000 of those deaths involved opioids (about 76%).
With these alarming statistics, it is vital to take action and ensure all individuals have the ability to access care, treatment, and supports for recovery, especially when it involves over 2 million youth who are the future. Since 2017, MHACG's Clubhouse program has provided a safe haven for youth with a drop-in center and activities to support youth development and recovery. The program serves youth, young adults, and families with a community based, peer-driven recovery program that encourages positive peer, family, and community involvement while teaching coping, communication, and life skills for success.
One participant turned employee as a Youth Peer Leader has made incredible strides to not only his personal recovery journey but supports the numerous others that come to the MHACG Clubhouses seeking support.
Noah Martinez, pictured, was recognized at the Stand Up for Recovery event as a Youth Ambassador, showcasing the importance that Youth Voices Matter. Each year the YVM looks to the community to find a young person in recovery who is dedicated to advocating for the needs of the recovery community and is eager to take on the opportunity of using their voice to make the necessary demands of youth recovery to NYS legislators. This year, Noah received the honor of being recognized as the Youth Ambassador and provided the opportunity to give a speech to the event attendees.
"I want to create an environment where any possible youth that are struggling can get help for the difficulties they face."
Noah took the stage to share his story of recovery and inspiration for recovery for individuals in need of support. "I want to create an environment where any possible youth that are struggling can get help for difficulties they face," said Noah. "Youth is especially vulnerable and often overlooked when it comes to recovery."
As youth develop, there are a vast number of factors that can contribute to a reliance on alcohol, opioids, or other narcotics to cope. Youth experience factors such as racial discrimination, socioeconomic challenges, gender discrimination, physical or learning disabilities, and increased social pressures with social media, isolation, and an unrealistic need for validation and instant gratification. Some may experience home challenges, including family members who may suffer from SUD, making the need for support an even more vital resource.
It's important that people are aware of the services and supports that exist out in the community. "I've been in a position where I needed help and struggled to find it," said Noah about his path before participating in the MHACG Clubhouse. "If we had a more elaborate education on SUD this could help prevent a lot of suffering for the youth and the future adults of this country."
MHACG's Clubhouses practice Harm Reduction, focused on educating on the harm that substances can have on aspects of life. "If there weren't any peer support opportunities for example, I don't know where I would be now." Programs such as MHACG's Clubhouse pave the way for treatment and recovery for those in need. For every person who participates in these programs, there are many more who aren't aware they exist. Advocating for awareness in the community and expanding on these programs, funding, and access is an important step toward building a better community.
"A lot of times there's this stigma that if you're in recovery you're a bad person, and this is not true, I couldn't disagree with this more."
Watch the full speech on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZrF8k0lHGRw
MHA of Columbia Greene is a leading mental health nonprofit serving the twin counties of Columbia and Greene. We believe mental health is health, and we envision a world where it is treated with the same importance as physical health. Our mission to advance mental health as a critical part of the overall health and wellbeing of our communities, and we strive to provide hope, healing, and empowerment. Since 1958, MHACG has been a beacon of hope offering mental health recovery, peer support, education, family support, housing solutions, substance use recovery programs, and advocating for survivors of assault, abuse, child abuse and trafficking. We are your bridge to wellbeing, connecting individuals, children, and families with care. To learn more about MHA of Columbia Greene, visit mhacg.org.
MHACG Clubhouses are funded through the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) as part of the ongoing effort to support youth recovery. To learn more about MHACG's Clubhouse program visit mhacg.org/programs/clubhouses.
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