A New PATH Fashion Show Celebrates Recovery

As part of its celebration of National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month, A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing) held its first annual "Strut for Sobriety" fashion show on September 10 in San Diego, California. Professional models and guest models in recovery sported designs from Viejas Outlet Center, partial sponsor of the event, to benefit PATH's efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding substance abuse and increase access to quality treatment.

"The fashion show highlighted 11 individuals in recovery who walked the runway with pride, demonstrating that this disease knows no social, economic, or cultural boundaries," said Gretchen Burns Bergman, PATH co-founder. Bergman co-chaired of the event with Connie Conard.

The event also included a luncheon, awards ceremony, and silent auction, with news reporter Rory Devine emceeing the event and radio personality Joe Bauer running the auction. Recipients of "Path to Recovery" awards, honored for their contribution to promoting recovery, included Whitney Taylor, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts; Sylvia Liwerant, Co-Founder of A New PATH; Pat and Russ Wittberger, founders of GRASP and Jenny's Journey; and Francine Anzalone-Byrd, Executive Director of North County Serenity House.

"Strut for Sobriety was a moving, visual example that treatment works and recovery is possible," said Bergman.

For more information, visit A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing).

(9/16/2005)