Commissioners proclaim September National Recovery Month in Haywood County

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing September as National Recovery Month and urging community support for people recovering from substance use disorders.

Shelley Foreman, regional community relations director for Via Health and Haywood County resident, presented the proclamation, which states treatment and support can enable recovery and calls on organizations and residents to reduce stigma and improve access to services. Foreman read the proclamation text and asked the board to adopt it.

Commissioners commented on local recovery programs and courts, praised recovery success stories and noted the links between treatment availability and family outcomes. One commissioner described a local worker whose recovery helped them become a high‑performing employee; another tied recovery support to preventing foster‑care placements when parents receive needed services.

Ending: The proclamation was adopted unanimously; commissioners said they would continue to monitor state and federal funding for behavioral health services.