VANCOUVER, Wash. - Holding hands is on the agenda for Labor Day for about 3,000 people in Washington and Oregon. They will hold hands today while standing on the Interstate Bridge connecting the states. "Hands Across the Bridge" is intended to show support for those now free from alcohol or drug addiction.

Often, the public only sees the bad side of addiction, event co-founder Patty Katz says, but there is positive news to share every day.

"The good news is treatment works and recovery is real. That is the really, really good news. Our families heal. Our communities heal."

Katz encourages those in recovery to participate in the event to help challenge the stigma she says exists on substance abuse-related issues. Elected officials from Washington and Oregon also will join the celebration.

Recovery is often a private journey, Katz says, but success benefits everyone through a more productive workforce, lowered health care costs and a reduction in crime rates.

"There are millions of people today that are in recovery. We need to let our communities know that we have hope. We have to let people know there is hope from the disease of addiction."

"Hands Across the Bridge" is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.