Carmel on the Case: Rockin' Recovery

WSVN -- The pills once flowed so freely from South Florida pain clinics that it wasn't unusual to see people shooting up in their cars. Now many clinics are closed and the supply is drying up but the epidemic is far from over.

Jim Hall: "This is the yet unaddressed part of the crisis."

Jim Hall researches trends in substance abuse and says the number of young people with prescription pain medication addictions has exploded in Florida. In the late 90's, the group made up 22 percent of those seeking help. Last year it was a staggering 62 percent.

Jim Hall: "Primarily young adults between 18 to 30 years of age are the new wave of the epidemic."

Rocker Richie Supa is trying to reach them because he was them.

Richie Supa: "I am here to show them what happens. That I went through the darkest time in my life and came out the other end and got it all back."

Supa's written hit songs for Aerosmith, Pink and Ozzy Osbourne, and has even performed on Broadway. Along the way he became an addict. He was hooked on cocaine, went to prison, relapsed but finally won his personal war on drugs.

Richie Supa: "These kids don't understand that they're fooling around with stuff that's really more potent than heroin."

Supa has teamed up with stars from Rock n' Roll's heyday to form a band called Rockers in Recovery. From a radio show to concerts, they use music to spread encouragement for overcoming drug dependency. Supa also does a one man recovery show when he's not with the band.

Richie Supa: "You'll only stay in your darkest moment as long as you allow yourself to stay there."

At this Deerfield Beach treatment center, most of the audience was very young but understood his message and his music.

Richie Supa sings: "I was so sick and tired of living a lie. I was wishing that I would die."

But Supa leaves his audience with a major dose of hope. And based on the response, it's clear his message is having an impact.

"Rockers in Recovery" is hosting a sober music festival at CB Smith Park this weekend.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

RIR MUSIC FESTIVAL
C.B. SMITH PARK, PEMBROKE PINES
NOV. 2 - 4
http://www.rockersinrecovery.org/events/rir-music-festival/