New York-based drug prevention office highlights campaign geared toward helping addicts

Officials from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) recently announced a program named Your Story Matters aimed at helping drug addicts recover.

They added that the campaign is focused on shedding the stigma attached to recovering drug addicts and promotes a life of health and wellness. For the past three years the office has received hundreds of anonymous stories about recovery and they choose 12 articles to spotlight to share their triumph over addiction.

The stories are designed to help people who suffer from drug, alcohol or gambling addiction see a different, more productive path and provides hope, inspiration and proof that recovery is possible for anybody.

OASAS oversees one of the country's largest addiction services system that is dedicated to prevention, treatment and recovery. Currently, they have more than 1,550 programs serving more than 110,000 New Yorkers.

Troubled teen programs can help adolescents who suffer from addiction by offering drug rehab and recreational activities that promotes healthy choices.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 21 percent of children currently use marijuana on a regular basis. Furthermore, approximately 3 percent of youth currently use cocaine.