By Lisa E. Overton

Looking back over 2009, I notice that one of my recurring themes is “Making a Difference.” This is a theme that I will carry over into 2010.

I am excited for 2010. This month I will celebrate my 50th birthday. My first half-century has drawn to a close. I know I am blessed in so many ways; with freedom from addiction, good health, lovely children, many friends who love me as much as I love them, peace with the past and hope for the future.

More and more people are realizing that we are wasting our time, money and resources on the War on Drugs. They know that the money would be better spent on treatment programs. The new battle cry is “Education, not Incarceration!”

Last month the New York Times reported that Tom McLellan, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and his boss Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, have been composing a new Obama administration antidrug strategy.

The word from Washington is that the policy will be to move funding into treatment and prevention rather than law enforcement and interdiction. Kerlikowske has said he wants to triple the number of Americans receiving addiction treatment. Both men have experience with the devastating effects of addiction on the family. Kerlikowske’s stepson Jeffrey has been arrested on drug charges and McLellan is reported to have an extensive family history with addiction which includes a 30 year-old son who died from overdose last year, another son in recovery, and a wife who is recovering from cocaine addiction. Let’s hope these men can make a difference in how this country allocates its resources as it relates to drugs.

Parity goes into effect this month.

The Paul Wellstone & Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 is designed to make sure that insurance plans offer mental health coverage as part of the overall health benefit packages, and to eliminate disparities between the coverage for mental health and more traditional physical health conditions.

While the new legislation will make a difference to those who have access to health care, millions still lack coverage. Yes, friends, the times they are a changing, again.

But California’s future looks dismal in some places. Friends and colleagues of mine have told me that most funding for any kind of drug treatment has virtually disappeared, from Proposition 36, to the number of beds available for detox, halfway houses and imprison programs. Many addiction recovery advocates are on the front line, beating a path to the policy maker’s doors, working to change California’s backward approach to the problem of addiction.

Addiction and treatment are certainly mainstream topics now. In December I saw an article in the local newspaper food section. It was aimed at helping readers support people in recovery from addiction by giving tips on how to prevent parties from disrupting their sobriety.

I want to continue to make a difference in 2010

I will start in my home by treating myself and my family with love and respect. I will forgive more and blame less. In my walk and in my community I will speak up and advocate for recovery and treatment funding. I will help eradicate stigma by revealing my own success in overcoming addiction.

Upcoming Events in 2010

The CAADE Conference 2010: Charting the Course for a New Beginning will be in Palm Springs April 22-24. See their website CAADE.org.

If you’d rather be in Hawaii that weekend, the 22nd annual Big Island Bash “The Next Frontier: Emotional Sobriety” has information at www.bigislandbash.com.

Early booking is encouraged.

The 25th San Diego Narcotics Anonymous Convention May 28-30, also at the Town & Country, is accepting speaker CDs now, deadline to submit is Jan. 29th.

A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing) will hold their annual Strut for Sobriety Fashion Show fundraiser in September.

The CAADAC annual conference will be the first weekend in October at the Irvine Marriott.

Reprinted with permission from California Together Newspaper.