Pubdate: Thu, 03 Nov 2005
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2005, The Detroit News
Contact:  http://detnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Jennifer Chambers

Good Deeds: Celebrating Unsung Heroes

DCX COUNSELOR HELPS COLLEAGUES GIVE UP DRUGS

Royal Oak Woman, A Uaw Employee Representative And A Former Addict, 
Receives National Honor For Efforts

ROYAL OAK -- Kathleen Stacy understands the struggles of addiction 
better than most. She was an addict to crack cocaine and alcohol.

So today when Stacy counsels workers at the Warren Truck plant for 
DaimlerChrysler, it isn't difficult for her to remember what it was 
like to fight to give up an addiction, let alone recognize you have one.

"First thing you have to do is admit you have a problem and that you 
are an addict. That life is unmanageable. You miss work, you're not 
paying bills. You don't take care of hygiene. You don't care about 
too much. Your number one thing is your next high," she said.

In her job as a UAW employee assistance program representative, Stacy 
talks to workers on the second and third shift about any social or 
mental problems they are experiencing. Then she refers them to 
agencies for treatment.

A Chrysler employee since 1985, Stacy saw rampant drug use in the 
1980s and 1990s on the assembly line and in plant rest rooms. In the 
midst of all this drug use, Stacy began her journey of recovery on 
Nov. 14, 1994. She has been sober 11 years this Nov. 14.

Stacy, 44, of Royal Oak is winner of the National Council of 
Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Lamplighter Award, for making 
significant contributions in the prevention and treatment of 
substance use disorder.

Stacy was nominated by longtime family friend Mary Cavanaugh, who 
knew Stacy's mother and family. In a letter to the NCADD of Greater 
Detroit, Cavanaugh wrote that Stacy has had a life full of uphill 
battles while she tried to overcome her addiction to drugs and alcohol.

"This struggle with sobriety in such a crazy work environment drove 
her to the point of deciding to quit Chrysler in 1999. Instead of 
just doing it, she called her family and told them of her intention 
to quit. The family rallied to support her and help her through this 
trying time. Instead of running to maintain her sobriety, her family 
motivated her to help others," Cavanaugh said.

Today Stacy, who received a degree in social work in May, motivates 
others every week.

"My whole life -- I didn't know it -- but I was always helping people 
or trying to help people. Now I can do that in my profession," Stacy said.

Stacy will receive her award at the NCADD's 2005 Dignity Awards 
Benefit Dinner on Nov. 19 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance 
Center's Ambassador Ballroom.

For information, go online at 
(http://www.ncadd-detroit.org)www.ncadd-detroit.org.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman