National Addiction Awareness Week kicked off in Calgary Monday with the 16th Annual Wellness Walk though the downtown core.

Patty Fisher has taken part in every Wellness Walk. She’s the Program Director at the Simon House Recovery Centre and says the message for walkers and onlookers Monday, is a simple one.

“There is hope that you don’t have to be trapped in addiction, whether you’re a family member or whether you’re someone directly dealing with an addiction, there is a solution and we can help,” she says.

The walk strives to raise and maintain community consciousness for healthy living and an addiction-free lifestyle with more than 20 local agencies represented.