River Edge Behavioral Health and River Edge’s Addiction Recovery Support Center, Macon Recovers, have partnered with the Georgia Recovers Bus Tour, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and the Georgia Council for Recovery to host the Georgia Recovers Bus Tour in Macon town-hall style policy discussion event to be held Monday, September 23, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Mercer University’s University Center in the Presidential Dining Room, located at 1400 Coleman Avenue in Macon.   

A panel of faith leaders, community members, peers in recovery, family members and allies for recovery will discuss the importance and impact of the topic, “Faith in Recovery” as a policy discussion stop. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend, especially those in Central Georgia communities. Registration is not required. The public should enter the Mercer University campus via Stadium Drive and follow the signs for parking.

 “I am excited for the Georgia Recovers Bus Tour. My team remains committed to providing support for vulnerable Georgians impacted by the addiction epidemic. The statewide tour will combine serious policy conversations with fun celebration concerts. It is important to reach everyone as we show Georgia that ‘Recovery is Real,’” said Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kevin Tanner.

“We are very grateful to be a part of this important discussion regarding the intersection of Faith and Recovery. Our communities are strengthened when we include ALL our neighbors in the solution. We want to honor the many peers and allies for recovery in our community who work tirelessly to lift up their brothers and sisters and show that ‘Recovery is Real’ in Macon, Georgia,” said Hannah Baker, Recovery Support Supervisor of Addiction Recovery Support Center, Macon Recovers, Hannah Baker.

Throughout National Recovery Month in September of 2024, the Georgia Recovers Bus will make 63 stops in communities across Georgia.

The Georgia Recovers Bus Tour is an official State of Georgia National Recovery Month Event funded by Commissioner Kevin Tanner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and supported by the Georgia General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery.

The Georgia Council for Recovery is the exclusive statewide partner with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for this historic tour.

Every stop is FREE and open to the public. Each event will highlight local peers in recovery, families impacted by addiction and allies who support recovery.

There are three types of stops: Proclamation Stops where local leaders present a National Recovery Month Proclamation in support of people living in recovery and families impacted by addiction, Policy Stops where local stakeholders have a diverse community conversation on how addiction and recovery impact communities and Celebration Stops where there will be celebrations with FREE food, entertainment and fellowship celebrating the hope and joy of recovery where hundreds of community members join together to show that recovery happens in communities. Celebration stops highlight local peers in recovery, families impacted by addiction and allies who support recovery.

"The Georgia Council for Recovery is honored to serve as the exclusive statewide partner for The Georgia Recovers Bus Tour with DBHDD. This stand-alone project is Georgia grown and Georgia run, encompassing the spirit and voice of the Georgia Recovery Community. The Georgia Council for Recovery (GC4R) is proud to partner with our local recovery community hosts to bring a uniquely Georgia message of the hope and joy of recovery," said Executive Director for The Georgia Council for Recovery Laurisa Guerrero. 

"The number one cause of death in America, including Georgia, for people ages 18 - 45 is overdose. The good news is that 'Recovery is Real'. There are over 900,000 people in communities across Georgia in recovery from addiction. The Georgia Recovers Bus Tour will bring the hope and joy of recovery to families across Georgia as it saves lives, restores families and strengthens communities," said Strategic Policy Advisor for The Georgia Council for Recovery Jeff Breedlove.

"The Georgia Recovers Bus Tour is connecting people and communities across Georgia. The opposite of addiction is connection. This historic bus tour will break down the stigma surrounding addiction and show that Georgia supports the people impacted by the Addiction Epidemic. When Georgia comes together, we can build stronger families, a stronger workforce and stronger communities," said Tour Manager for The Georgia Recovers Bus Tour Jon Langston.