State Representative Erick Allen (D-Smyrna) recently introduced House Bill 326, legislation which would create a special state license plate to benefit the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse’s (GCSA) Georgia Recovers program and the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN). This license plate seeks to honor people in recovery from addiction and mental health challenges, their allies and professionals who have dedicated themselves to help improve lives and communities.

“Allowing drivers to purchase this special license plate will help save lives across Georgia,” said Rep. Allen. “Addiction and mental illness are serious health conditions that affect countless families in every neighborhood across the state. These plates will increase awareness and help educate residents about the power of recovery, because, in fact, ‘Recovery is Real.’”

House Bill 326 would create the “Georgia Recovers” license plate for Georgians who have an interest in supporting recovery from substance abuse disorders and mental illness to demonstrate that recovery from addiction is possible. HB 326 would direct funds from the sale of the special license plate to both GCSA and GMHCN. No taxpayer revenue will be used to create the license plates, and funds collected from the sale of the license plates would go towards GCSA and GMHCN’s efforts to reduce stigma and support recovery in Georgia.

“This license plate helps break the stigma around addiction and breaking the stigma saves lives,” said Neil Campbell, executive director of the GCSA. “Sadly, thousands of Georgia families have been touched by addiction and recovery should be the expectation. The ‘Georgia Recovers’ license plate also serves as a bold and outward signal to individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental illness that their neighbors care and raises awareness that there is a strong community of people in recovery that can help.”

The specialty license plate would feature the Georgia Recovers program logo and the phrase “Recovery is Real” across the bottom.