Harford Community College to Feature National Recovery Month Activities in September

Harford Community College is joining with its business and community partners in September to shine a light on recovery from addiction for National Recovery Month.

This year’s theme, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” reminds those with substance use disorder and/or are in recovery, along with those who support them, that they are not alone in their journey.

National Recovery Month activities are designed to combat and remove stigmas about mental health and substance use disorder, share resources, and spread the word that treatment works.

The College will conduct a number of activities to increase general awareness of area resources and support. Harford will run a social media campaign throughout September with posts on its Facebook and Twitter accounts @HarfordCC, and Instagram at harfordcc.

On Tuesday, September 14, the Student Center will host a free Harford County Health Department drop-in clinic with HIV and Hepatitis C testing and naloxone (Narcan) distribution.

Students who wear purple any time during the week of September 20 can stop by the Office of Student Life (OSL) and receive a free movie ticket. OSL will also have a “Recovery Rocks” table outside their office for students to visit and decorate a rock with a favorite inspirational word or quote. They may then place the rock somewhere on campus to spread hope and good vibes. Employees will be asked to wear purple on Friday, September 24 and to bring in a canned item for the OSL’s emergency food pantry.

A number of Harford County restaurants will be offering non-alcoholic “mocktails” to increase awareness about Recovery Month and to help those in recovery and those who prefer not to drink alcohol feel more included in restaurant settings.

The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy is offering two events free of charge to recognize individuals in recovery. An Evening of Comedy with Dion Flynn, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” will be held at the Bel Air Armory from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 24. Mocktails and snacks will be available. Seating is limited, so registration is required; to reserve a seat, register by September 20 on the Harford County Government Form Center.

Also, on Saturday, September 25, families are invited to “Good for the (Recovery) Soul” movie night from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Bel Air’s Shamrock Park. The Disney PIXAR movie “Soul” will be featured. The free event is being held in partnership with Ashley Treatment’s Adolescent Clubhouse.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center at 1-800-Next-Step.