TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) – Organizers with the Oasis Recovery Community Organization and the American Addiction Recovery Association say they are working together to break down the stigma that surrounds substance abuse.

“We chose the phrase ‘Eliminate the Whispers’ because every time I talked to somebody, those people would say, ‘Hey, I have a nephew or cousin.’ It was always a whisper. We’re trying to eliminate the stigma around substance abuse,” said Scott Cochran, president of the American Addiction Recovery Association.

Raising awareness of drug abuse is a matter close to the heart of the former UGA football coach because it affects him personally.

“I’m on the road to recovery. Everywhere I’ve tried to talk to people on the road to recovery, the response from people has been amazing because it affects everyone. The numbers don’t lie. 200 people die every day from an overdose,” Cochran said.

According to a recent survey, one in four Americans over the age of 12 admit to using illegal drugs. Many people from all walks of life become addicted. Statistics show that some people you know are probably struggling with an addiction.

“It doesn’t matter what your walk-in looks like, whether you’re successful, we know it can happen to anyone,” said Oasis Recovery Organization CEO and Tift County State Court Judge Herbert Benson.

Many members, as well as Judges Benson and Scott Cochran, are offering people an opportunity to talk openly about their addiction on October 2nd.

“Austin Scott will be there and we invite people to talk about addiction and recovery and what that means,” Herbert said.

The Oct. 2 event aims to help reduce the stigma associated with substance abuse and will be held at the Tift County Multipurpose Building.

A Recovery Fest will take place at Fulwood Park on September 7th from 12pm to 3pm.

On September 23, several organizations will host a bus stop tour for recovering military members at 1 p.m. at the Tift County Administration Building.

If you would like to donate to the American Addiction Recovery Association’s initiative to eliminate the stigma of substance abuse, click here.

If you are struggling with substance abuse and need someone to talk to, call or text the Cares Warm Line at 1-844-326-5400.

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