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Addiction & Recovery: Communities Take Action Campaign
Published March 1, 2007
A new nationwide, 30-city community outreach campaign has taken on the daunting task of educating the public about addiction, what it really is, what causes it, and its treatments. PRO-ACT, hosted by The Council, was selected to be the lead organization in the Philadelphia region during the Addiction and Recovery: Communities Take Action campaign. In Philadelphia, the campaign kicks off in March with the premier of the campaign’s centerpiece, HBO’s eye opening documentary, Addiction, and culminates in September with PRO-ACT’s Recovery Walks! 2007.
Addiction and Recovery: Communities Take Action is designed to educate Americans about advancements in understanding drug and alcohol addiction (a brain disease), its causes (a variety of genetic and psychosocial factors) and how to get the best available treatment (by seeking out evidence-based medical and behavioral treatments). The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Faces & Voices of Recovery, and Join Together are coordinating this grassroots campaign in 30 cities, building on a powerful opportunity to expand public understanding of addiction and recovery.
An interactive website will arm communities with a range of downloadable organizing tools to support their efforts. Materials will be provided on policy issues addressed in the documentary, such as ending insurance discrimination; expanding opportunities for medication-assisted recovery; and making it possible for people to get the help they need when they need it.
Addiction airs nationally on March 15, 2007, 9:00-10:30pm, and will be replayed throughout the rest of a free preview week (March 11-17, 2007 all cable subscribers receive HBO free of charge). The documentary is a result of a partnership between HBO, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Addiction is just one element of a groundbreaking 14-part series aimed at helping Americans understand the illness as a treatable brain disease while spotlighting new medical advances. It is hopeful, providing guidance in navigating the confusing world of addiction treatment and recovery. Addiction is a candid depiction of the emotional, psychological, social and political toll that addiction takes on the country; and it demonstrates conclusively that the disease is treatable by showing that there are millions of Americans in long-term recovery.
In conjunction with HBO and Treatment Research Institute (TRI), PRO-ACT will host an invitation only premier at Philadelphia’s Prince Music Theater on March 5. The premier will include a showing of the documentary followed by a panel discussion on how issues highlighted in the program are being addressed locally. Panelists include: Sharon Brass, Esq., Chair, PRO-ACT’s Regional Act 106 Committee; Dr. Arthur C. Evans. Jr., Ph.D., Director, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health; Dr. Patricia Giraldo, M.D., Associate Director of Clinical Research, Albert Einstein Medical Center; and A. Thomas McLellan Ph.D., CEO, Treatment Research Institute.
The campaign encourages communities to form broad-based local partnerships to sustain their activities over the long term so more people can get the help they need after the show airs and beyond. To find out how your community can play a role, contact PRO-ACT.
Individuals, churches, unions and other organizations will be sponsoring “House Parties” to view and discuss the special on March 15. To host or attend a house party, contact Kathy McQuarrie, Educating the Community Chairperson, at (215) 340-2854.
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