Unite To Face Addiction

The time has come to face addiction and stand up for recovery. You are needed to rally in Washington, DC on October 4, 2015 to ignite a growing movement that will demand solutions to the addiction crisis. Join us for a transformative event will ignite and build a movement to address one of the most pressing health issues of our time.

Why Now?

Long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs is a reality for over 23 million Americans, one of our nation’s best-kept secrets. Regardless of the paths people have chosen to achieve recovery, their lives and the lives of their families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and communities are vastly improved as a result. They are the living proof that there are real solutions to the devastation of addiction.

While recovery from addiction is a reality, approximately 120 Americans die from overdoses each day – nearly 44,000 people each year – more than who die from either homicides or traffic crashes. Another 22 million Americans are still suffering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

Where is the national outrage about this needless loss of life, the costs to families and the economy, and more importantly, the demand for solutions? We know that addiction is preventable, treatable, and people can and do get well.

Too many of those affected have been incarcerated. They and others are afraid to speak up about the failed policies and poor care due to the long-standing stigma and discriminatory public policies. They are yet to be recognized as a political force because politicians assume they don’t vote and, indeed, many have had their voting rights revoked. And, for too long, a great majority of people connected to addiction have remained silent.

The time is now to break that silence.

Why 2015 and Why Washington, D.C.?

1. A grassroots constituency that has developed over the last 15 years is
   organized and speaking out

2. To build on greater acceptance of treating alcohol and other drug problems
   as health issues

3. Across the political spectrum, understanding that current rates of
   incarceration, including for alcohol and other drug related offenses, can’t be
   sustained

4. A growing recognition of the impact of discrimination towards people with
   substance use disorders and the importance of dismantling legal and societal
   manifestations of discrimination

5. A sense of urgency over the current opiate overdose crisis

6. Recognition that although harm reduction strategies and services save lives
   and provide a bridge to treatment and recovery for many, most Americans do
   not have access to them

7. Recognition that despite the fact that recovery from a substance use disorder
   is possible through many means and includes many pathways, too many
   Americans lack access to the individualized treatment and other recovery
   support services they need to get their lives on track

8. Need for effective implementation and enforcement of the Mental Health
   Parity and Addiction Equity Act and Affordable Care Act to insure access to
   care for people seeking addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery support
   services

9. A man in long-term recovery is the Director of the White House Office of
   National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

10. The success of The Anonymous People film, fostering an expanding interest
    in advocacy

11. Introduction of the bi-partisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act in
    Congress and other public policy initiatives to address addiction

12. A new era and interest for collaboration at the local, state and national levels

UNITE to FACE ADDICTION is a grassroots advocacy effort and will partner with local, state and national participating organizations and many Federal and State Agencies. It is 100% privately funded from non-governmental sources. UNITE to FACE ADDICTION will not accept money from corporate interests with a real or perceived conflict of interest related to addiction solutions.

For more information, contact:
Michael King, Field Organizer – (206-939-2844) or mking@facingaddiction.org