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Contra Costa marks National Recovery Month; county says behavioral‑health programs expanding
Summary
Contra Costa supervisors on Sept. 9 recognized National Recovery Month, heard personal recovery stories and learned county behavioral‑health staff are developing an integrated substance‑use and mental‑health plan. Support for Recovery and Measure X‑funded programs were highlighted.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 recognized September as National Recovery Month and heard first‑hand accounts of recovery as officials outlined county efforts to reduce stigma and expand services.
Tom Aswad, founder and president of Support for Recovery and a person in long‑term recovery, told the board the theme this year is “Recovery is real” and urged support for volunteers who staff many local recovery programs. Aswad cited county cost figures he said illustrated the expense of untreated addiction, including his figures for a single emergency‑room visit ($3,622) and an ambulance trip ($3,202 plus $77 per mile), and said Measure X funds local recovery programs that reduce those downstream costs.
Jennifer Tuipilotu, who identified herself as a staff member in the county Office for Peer and Family Empowerment, described peer‑led engagement strategies and introduced Victoria Fairchild, a peer specialist who said she has 12 years clean and now works as a substance‑use counselor for the county. Tuipilotu told supervisors that behavioral‑health staff are working on an integrated plan that combines substance‑use services with mental‑health care to reduce stigma and improve coordination; she credited Dr. Suzanne Tavano with leading that effort.
Board members praised the speakers. Supervisor Diane Burgess said lived experiences have particular power to change public views, and other supervisors encouraged continued community and volunteer support for services funded in part by Measure X.
The board took no regulatory action on recovery programs at the meeting; speakers and supervisors asked residents and partners to support county efforts to expand services and reduce stigma.
