Reneé Damon Discusses Her Recovery from Drug Addiction on Oct. 7

09/22/2009 

National motivational speaker Reneé Damon will offer a personal account of how her addictions took away her personal choices, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at SUNY Cortland.

Damon, of DeRuyter, N.Y., will describe the horrific role drugs played in her life as well as share the benefits to living a clean and sober lifestyle.

Presented by the College's Judicial Affairs Office, her talk, titled “Taken Away,” will begin at 8 p.m. in the Corey Union Function Room. The event is free and open to the public.

Presented by the College’s Judicial Affairs Office, the lecture is part of SUNY Cortland’s Fall 2009 “Wellness Wednesday Series,” featuring speakers, exhibits, self-help workshops and other programs intended to help students adjust to college life.

As an 18-year recovering addict, Damon speaks in a straightforward and honest way about drug addiction issues and her own struggle to reclaim her life, self esteem, respect and dignity.

A professional substance abuse counselor for 15 years with both adults and adolescents, she has spoken in many high schools, universities and criminal facilities. She addresses the results of substance abuse along with sexual assault issues, including the emotional scars and damage to the individual’s self-esteem and well-being and long-term health problems. A single mother of two children in college, she has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Canton and a bachelor’s degree in human services from Rutgers University.

For more information, contact Michael Pitaro, assistant director of jusicial affairs. For more information about the Wellness Wednesday series, contact Catherine Smith, the College’s health educator, in Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-1, or at (607) 753-2066.