Former substance abusers who turned their life around will be highlighted throughout September as part of National Recovery Month.

The Department for National Drug Control, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and treatment agencies across the island will hold a series of events about substance use, treatment and mental health services this month.

The theme for Recovery Month is: “Join the voices for recovery. Our families, our stories and our recovery.”

A spokeswoman for the Ministry said the events would “highlight the positive message that behavioural health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover”.

Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Minister of Legal Affairs, said: “It is our desire to use this opportunity to raise awareness and reinforce the message that recovery in all of its forms is possible and encourage all citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need.

“This month we would like the public to join us in celebrating those individuals and their families who are committed to living a healthy and drug free lifestyle.”

Highlights include:

• September 11: Right Living House, open house

• Septembre 13: Nelson Bascome Centre, free carwash

• September 14: Focus barbecue at Clearwater Beach

• September 18: Focus, open house

• September 19-20: BACB to host workshop on prevention advocacy

• September 23: Salvation Army recovery walk

• September 25: Pathways walk and expo

• September 26: DNDC chat and chew

• September 28: Focus tag day