Trainee honored at Recovery Walk

More than 200 people showed their dedication Friday morning to recovery from alcohol and substance abuse when they participated in the fourth annual recovery walk in the pouring rain.

Before the one-mile trek at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds, participants were inspired by one woman's story of struggle, hope and change.

Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, state commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, presented the Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee of the Year award to April L. Beamer of Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions.

Ms. Beamer, a recovering addict, said she was happy to receive the top state honor, but a little nervous about accepting it in front of such a large crowd.

"Anyone who knows me understands I'm nervous in crowds, so I'm going to pretend you're all in group," she said.

Ms. Beamer began her path of recovery from her addiction to drugs after she was jailed following a police raid nine years ago. Her uncle, Donald G. Curtis, Rodman, said it was only after she started to go through withdrawal in jail that she turned her life around.

"She begged us to get her out of jail, but it was tough love," Mr. Curtis said during the recovery walk.

"When she realized we weren't going to bail her out, I think she realized it was her responsibility to change," said Ann M. Beamer, Ms. Beamer's mother.

The younger Ms. Beamer walked around the Fairgrounds YMCA with a decorated T-shirt that read, "When it comes to recovery, sometimes it's best to take baby steps." Ms. Carpenter-Palumbo said it doesn't matter if an addict starts with small steps, as long as he or she takes that first step to recovery.

For those who may fall off the wagon, Ms. Carpenter-Palumbo said, "Remember how you felt when you were in recovery, and remember all of the things that happened to you when you were an addict or drunk. Then decide what life you want to live. The life of recovery is always going to be better than an addiction."

The recovery walk was sponsored by Credo, the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County Inc., Samaritan Medical Center Addiction Services and the St. Lawrence Addiction Treatment Center at Hamilton Hall, Ogdensburg.