When an annual event focusing on sharing stories of recovery from addiction first began 12 years ago, there was much more stigma around substance use and recovery, but even organizers are surprised to see how that conversation has shifted.

“People are becoming much more accepting,” said Tammy Turnbull, treasurer of the Thunder Bay Drug Awareness Committee.

“People are very accepting and warm when they see our T-shirts that say: ‘normalize recovery.’ When we first started and wore a T-shirt like that people would aggressively approach us and tell us how wrong we are. Now we have people saying: ‘where can I get that shirt?’ That is a huge shift.”

Rockin’ Recovery is returning for its 12th year on Saturday at the CLE Coliseum Building. It will include live music performances by local artis

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