National Recovery Month
To the Editor,
September carries with it many meanings—back to school, the start of fall and football season—but one that may sometimes be overlooked is the celebration of recovery: September is National Recovery Month.
According to the Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 23 million people in the United States are classified with substance abuse disorders each year. At Greenwich House, we work to help New Yorkers struggling to overcome addiction, and honor our staff and clients, as well as all the other New Yorkers working to support this cause, for their dedication during this month of celebration.
When dealing with addiction, recovery becomes a life-long process. Greenwich House remains a stronghold where people can find the reliable and caring support necessary to continue through this process. Our unique treatment centers offer the opportunity for clients to empower themselves as well as others facing this struggle, and as a result remain at almost 45 percent above the standard success rate in New York State for substance use reduction.
Some clients have even taken the opportunities they receive at Greenwich House and built on them to further assist others in their treatments. Patients at our clinic have set up a food and clothing pantry that distributes donated supplies to clients in need. After rising above their addictions, they now help others to do the same.
Recovering from addiction is an everyday struggle. With personal and consistent support, there can be bright lights that rise above the shadows. I hope that you will join me in recognizing those who have made this commitment to recovery. By working together as a community, we can raise awareness of addiction duringRecovery Month, and encourage other New Yorkers facing this struggle to seek the treatment services they need.
Sincerely,
Roy Leavitt
Executive Director and CEO
Greenwich House, Inc.
Please reply loudly
To the Editor,
There is a fan feeding the workers at the Brooklyn Bridge. The noise this fan puts out is both deafening and a health hazard to the residents of Southbridge Towers and the surrounding area. Residents facing the bridge can’t go on their terraces and must keep their windows closed. Upon calling 311 I was told from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. New York City is exempt from any noise violations if doing construction on a highway or bridge. Is this fair? Please reply loudly as I now have a ringing in my ear.
Michael Wishner
False and reactionary
To the Editor,
Your false and reactionary headline that the sacred day was “marred by protests” is false and gives the reactionary message that somehow, fighting against bigotry and anti-Muslim racism and for freedom of religion somehow diminished the remembrance ceremony.
Dave Silver
