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.