LEWISTON (WGME) – On a sunny Saturday in Lewiston, Maine, a crowd gathered at Kennedy Park for the annual Rally for Recovery. The event, organized by the Lewiston Area Public Health Committee, is a celebration of recovery from substance use disorder and a way to raise awareness about the resources available to those struggling with addiction.

One of the attendees, Peter Rosascl, is currently on the road to recovery himself. He offered lifesaving tools at his booth, including Narcan, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

“I had Narcan,” Rosascl said. “There’s been so many people here today that I’m out of Narcan.”

Another attendee, Erin Hamlin, is also in recovery. She was at the rally with her children, who were sharing encouraging messages on T-shirts.

“They’re sharing inspirational words to share with other people, like don’t give up, I believe in you,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin said she hopes to be a role model for her children and others in the community.

“As a person in long term recovery, I work to be a face and voice of recovery to show what’s possible,” she said.

One of the goals of the Rally for Recovery is to remove the shame associated with addiction and recovery.

“I think it’s near and dear to this community because people recognize that we need to de-stigmatize and change the narrative that goes along with substance abuse use and recovery,” said Stephanie Gelinas, chair of the Rally for Recovery.

The rally also offered a variety of resources for people struggling with addiction, including information about treatment programs, support groups, and other services.

“We want to create what we consider to be a recovery friendly community,” Gelinas said. “Creating a space that’s comfortable for folks to come to and learn.”

The Rally for Recovery is a reminder that there is hope for recovery from substance use disorder. With the right support and resources, people can overcome addiction and build a better life for themselves.