For CCAR to recognize me, a medication-assisted recovery advocate, is extraordinary!
Rocky Hill, CT (PRWEB) February 02, 2014
The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) held their annual meeting on January 22, 2014 highlighted by the presentation of the Bob Savage Recovery Advocate of the Year Award to Walter Ginter, MARS Project Director.
This year the award was presented to Walter Ginter, Project Director of the Medication-Assisted Recovery Support (MARS) Project. Mr. Ginter has been an energetic and dedicated advocate for medication-assisted recovery for over 15 years. What began as a "comic jab" at his own methadone program (Bitch and Gripe) has resulted in years of personal dedication to medication-assisted treatment and recovery. He has served as Vice President of the National Alliance of Medication Assisted Recovery (NAMA-R), editor of the newsletter NAMA Advocate and served on the board of Faces and Voices of Recovery.
During his acceptance speech Mr. Ginter said, "Winning this award in my home state means a lot to me. It also says a lot about the organization who gives it. For CCAR to recognize me, a medication-assisted recovery advocate is extraordinary."
Along with the Bob Savage Recovery Advocate of the Year award, Mr. Ginter has earned the prestigious Richard Lane and Robert Holden Methadone Patient Advocacy Award in 2006 from his fellow advocates. Mr. Ginter has also received an America Honors Recovery – Vernon Johnson Award in 2012. He has testified at the Connecticut legislature on behalf of methadone treatment and as a patient. John Hamilton, CEO of Recovery Network of Programs (RNP), on behalf of the CCAR Board of Directors presented the award. Mr. Hamilton is also a national recognized leader in medication-assisted treatment and recovery.
Some more about Bob Savage: Mr. Savage founded CCAR in 1998 and is regarded as a national pioneer in establishing recovery community organizations. The award is in honor of his courage to speak frequently, energetically and effectively on behalf of people in recovery, their family members, friends and allies. The winner of the award must be a Connecticut resident; outspoken on issues of importance to people in recovery, their family members, friends and allies and have demonstrated excellence in recovery advocacy. Mr. Savage attended and spoke at this ceremony.
