September 19, 2017

Manchin Receives Michael Prestera Award of Excellence for his Fight Against Substance Abuse

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) was recently awarded with the 2017 Michael Prestera Award of Excellence for his work in the fight against West Virginia’s substance abuse epidemic. Last Friday at the “Recovery 4 a Change” celebration at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington, Prestera Center CEO Karen Yost presented Senator Manchin with the award in front of a crowd of people in substance abuse recovery.

“I’ve got hope and faith in each and every one of you,” Senator Manchin told attendees. “If you’ve been one day clean, one month clean, one year clean, know that I am proud of you. We need you. We are all in this together. And we are not giving up in this fight.”

Every year, the Prestera Center – which helps individuals with both mental health and substance abuse needs – and its Board of Directors present this award to an individual who is committed to improving the lives of individuals with behavioral health and substance abuse disorders.

“This year, I am so proud to give this award to Senator Joe Manchin.” Yost said. “He has shown dedication and unfailing commitment to do whatever he needs to do to improve the lives of us all.”

At the event, Senator Manchin highlighted his bill, The Clean Start Act, which would allow people with a federal felony or misdemeanor conviction for a past nonviolent crime committed as a result of drug addiction an opportunity to have their criminal record sealed after undergoing comprehensive addiction treatment and demonstrating a commitment to their recovery. Since many employers are unlikely to consider a job applicant with a criminal record, this bill would give people who wish to reform their lives a clean start.

To watch Senator Manchin’s remarks click here.

###