Xavier University of Louisiana hosts recovery month celebration Sept. 14

The following is a press release detailing an important community event at Xavier University of Louisiana:

Xavier University of Louisiana will host a celebration of National Recovery Month, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the University Center.

Xavier’s Recovery event is part of National Recovery Month, a national observance that educates Americans on the fact that addiction
treatment and mental health services can enable those with substance use or mental disorders to live a healthy and rewarding life.

Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, and treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Florida state Rep. Darryl Ervin Rouson, J.D., a 1977 graduate of Xavier. He has
a successful career in law and politics and is a recovering addict.

Rouson has a powerful story of his struggle with a cocaine addiction that cost him his family and even left him homeless. However, it is his
story of recovery that ultimately led him to a career of community activisim and awareness.

Rouson accepted a friend’s offer of cocaine while at a party and he developed an addiction to cocaine that grew at the expense of his
practice, his standing in the community and his marriage. In 1987, he sold his practice and his home and divorced his wife. After
some time, he met Rev. George Clements of Chicago, the founder of One Church-One Child adoption program. Rouson became the recovery revival coordinator for One Church-One Addict, a program that taught churches how to help recovering addicts. He would eventually return to St. Petersburg, Fla., and embark on a path of community activism.

Rouson says he made the effort to make his weakness — addiction — a strength. He says his journey is what made him who he is today.

In 1981, he became the first African-American prosecutor in Pinellas County. In 2003, he was appointed the first chairman of the newly
formed Substance Abuse and Addictions Task Force for the National Bar Association. He has emerged as one of the Bay area’s
most successful businessmen as voted by Tampa Bay Business Journal.

In April 2008, Mr. Rouson’s years of activism, bold leadership and community service culminated in his being elected to represent Tampa
Bay-area District 55. He simultaneously served on the prestigious Statewide Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. He was also
appointed to serve on the Transition Teams of Attorney General and Gov. Charlie Crist.

He has appeared as an analyst and consultant on CNN, Court TV, ESPN, FOX News, Rita Crosby Live & Direct and Kathy Crier
Live TV.
In addition to the guest speaker, Xavier’s activities to promote Recovery Month include poster displays, informational tables, videos and two panel discussions: “Addiction in 2011: Designer Drugs” and “Recovery 101.”

Participating community agencies include Depaul-Tulane Behavioral Health Center, River Oaks, Townsend, Salvation Army, and Metropolitan
Human Services District, Addiction Recovery Resources of New Orleans, and Leaders Education/Counseling. Campus affiliates include the Xavier College of Pharmacy, the Xavier University Library, the Counseling and Wellness Center and Wellness Peer Counselors, psychology, sociology, and political science departments and the counseling students from the Division of Education as well as Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha the Xavier Activities Board, Resident Assistants and SGA.
For more information on Xavier’s Recovery Month Celebration, please contact Shirley Labbe (Counseling & Wellness ) at (504) 520-7315. A complete schedule is below.

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
SEPT. 14, 2011 at Xavier University, University Center
10 a.m.- 2 p.m. 1st Floor UC
Poster Display
Informational Tables
Assessments
Video: 12 Young Adults Speaking From the Heart
Participants: Depaul-Tulane Behavioral Health Center; River Oaks; Townsend; Xavier College of Pharmacy; Xavier University Library

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Rm. 205 UC
Keynote Speaker: Florida State Representative Mr. Darryl Ervin Rouson, J. D.
12:00-12:30  1st floor UC
Assessments
Xavier’s Counseling Education Program
12:30-1:00  1st floor  UC Gallery
Addiction in 2011: Designer Drugs
With Panelists: John Antuci (Townsend); Vincent Chamberlain (River Oaks); Major Charles Stewart (Salvation Army)
1:15-1:45 1st floor Gallery UC
Recovery 101 with Panelists: Angela Loubout (Depaul-Tulane Behavioral Health Center); Anthony Lowery (Leaders Education/Counseling, Adjunct Professor SUNO); Mervin Moore (Metropolitan Human Services District)