Contact: Mary Bennett, RN
Registered Nurse Staff Council of MCHS
906/228-2534
maryxyram@aol.com

or

David Perlove, Labor Representative
Michigan Nurses Association
906/226-7053
dave.perlove@minurses.org

June 13, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Registered nurses rally to save substance abuse facilities at marquette general health systems

Marquette, MI – The registered nurses at Marquette General Health System, along with concerned citizens from across the Upper Peninsula will hold a rally on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 to protest the recent announcement that Marquette General Hospital plans to eliminate the state-of-the-art residential Substance Abuse Unit and reduce addiction services.

Over the years, the Marquette General Hospital Detoxification Unit and Substance Abuse Treatment Services has helped many gripped by the sinister and life threatening addiction of one or more substances. This has been achieved by assembling a comprehensive group of clinical specialists who provide these essential services to our community. These specialists include Board Certified Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Addictionologists, Substance Abuse Counselors, Social Workers, LPNs and permanently staffed professional Registered Nurses who have received special training and continuing education in substance abuse treatment.

The Marquette General Hospital’s substance abuse services save lives and mend families. The MNA-represented Registered Nurses believe the elimination of substance abuse services is a disservice to the people of the Upper Peninsula.

The rally will begin with a march at 4:00 on Tuesday, June 20 from the American Legion/Harlow Park through downtown Marquette. Speakers are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. back at Harlow Park. The community is encouraged to join the RNs' Rally to Save Substance Abuse Services at MGH.

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The Michigan Nurses Association, nurses' voice for 100 years, is the largest nurses' union in the State of Michigan . The Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) promotes the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, fosters high standards of nursing practice, and lobbies the legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and recipients of nursing services. MNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association and the United American Nurses, as well as an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.