Help provided for individuals and families suffering addiction

News Release www.piercecountywa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2013

Help provided for individuals and families suffering addiction

Many individuals and families suffer silently under the shadow of addiction. When alcohol or prescription drugs take over a person’s life, those nearby are impacted too. It can happen in any family – rich or poor, large or small, employed or not. No one is immune. But it doesn’t mean things are hopeless.  Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources is sponsoring “Addiction: Getting Rid of the Pink Elephant,” a special workshop that will bare the truth about addiction to prescription, over-the-counter and illicit drugs and alcohol. Representatives from AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) will offer their stories of struggle and the hope of resources to break the cycle and how support is so important. The workshop will be repeated four times at four different locations: ·        Monday, Oct. 7  -- 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Pierce County Annex Main Meeting Room 2401 S 35th St. in Tacoma ·        Monday, Oct 7. --  7 to 8 p.m. Lakewood Branch Library 6300 Wildaire Rd. SW in Lakewood ·        Wednesday, Oct 9. -- 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. County City Building Rainier Conference Room 930 Tacoma Ave. S., 7th Floor in Tacoma ·        Wednesday, Oct. 9 -- 7 to 8 p.m. Sound View Building 3602 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma “Alcohol and drug addiction can slowly take over a life, sometimes without family and close friends being aware,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources manager. “People can become quite adept at hiding their addiction.  Families and friends can easily ignore tell-tale signs. But there is help – and hope – for individuals whose lives have been taken over. Learn about important resources for families and friends.” “Addiction: Getting Rid of the Pink Elephant” will be presented by the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center in collaboration with NA and AA. The workshop offers the opportunity for participants to ask questions about their own situation and how to connect with resources in Pierce County.  The workshop is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required. For details, call the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Scott Kinney, Community Connections 253-798-4509 skinney@co.pierce.wa.us