WELLWVU will host a free screening of “The Anonymous People,” a documentary focusing on the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs and the emerging public recovery movement.

The film will be screened at 6 p.m. on April 15 in the Gluck Theatre of the West Virginia University Mountainlair.

“Because of the deeply rooted social stigma associated with addiction, recovery voices have been kept silent and hidden for too long,” said assistant vice president for WELLWVU Cathy Yura. “And unfortunately, the social stigmas contribute to the lethality of the addiction.”

The moving story of “The Anonymous People” is told through the faces and voices of citizens, celebrities, volunteers, corporate executives, leaders and public figures who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others just like them. The new public recovery movement aims to transform public opinion, engage communities and elected officials and shift problematic policy toward lasting solutions.

“We hope the film will open minds and start the conversation on how to help addicts speak out about their recovery process,” Yura said. “Just like individuals with HIV/AIDS have done, brave addiction recovery advocates are speaking out and coming together to end discrimination and move toward recovery-based solutions.”

According to Yura, between 1999 and 2009 there has been a 141 percent increase in individuals ages 18-24 participating in inpatient treatment programs. To help combat this issue, WVU is currently in the process of developing a collegiate recovery program for its students.

“A collegiate recovery community provides a student a social setting that supports their sobriety without shame or judgment,” Yura said. “Many major universities have upwards of 200 attendees in their programs.”

Following the film, representatives from Morgantown community advocacy and treatment programs will be on hand to discuss the local recovery movement and treatment options.

Event co-sponsors include the Morgantown Sober Living House, St. John’s University Parish and First Choice Services in Charleston.

For more information, contact WELL WVU Student Assistance Program by calling 304-293-4477.

-WVU-

ta/04/07/14

CONTACT: Cathy Yura, WELLWVU
304.293.2547, Cathy.Yura@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.