We’re hoping to take some space in the blog and balancing the scales to recognize different ally organizations from across the state so that our members can get to know them better.  This is the first installment.

People Advocating Recovery (PAR) is a statewide grassroots recovery advocacy organization, helping people to overcome drug addiction by empowering them.  

PAR brings together thousands of individuals and organizations from across the Kentucky to advocate for policies and attitudes that will make recovery a reality for more people, putting a special emphasis on giving a voice to those in recovery (along with family, friends, and allied organizations) in order to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with the disease of addiction.  

PAR believes that those most affected by alcohol and other drug problems have been absent from the public policy debate for too long.  The goal of our their work is to promote long-term recovery and help even more of our friends and neighbors overcome addiction by building a strong, organized recovery community.   

The stigma and discrimination associated with addiction often prevent those in long-term recovery from fully participating in society, which can lead to relapse.

Because so many people in drug recovery have felony convictions in their background, PAR has become a key ally in our campaign to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society.  

PAR has been especially powerful in mobilizing people to come to Frankfort to be a part of our rallies and speak-outs to restore voting rights.  Recently, they coordinated a series of recovery rallies all over the state to celebrate and raise awareness of long-term recovery.  

We’re also excited to announce that PAR won the KFTC Ally of the Year Award at our Annual Meeting last month.  Congratulations and thanks to PAR for all that they do.