Facing Addiction, Nation's Largest Addiction Advocacy Coalition, To Bring Educational Caucuses As Well As Recovery Support Rooms to RNC and DNC Political Conventions

NEW YORK, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to support elected delegates in recovery from addiction at the Democratic and Republican political conventions, Facing Addiction, the country's largest non-profit advocacy coalition ever assembled dedicated to eliminating the addiction crisis, will be hosting recovery and wellness rooms in both Cleveland and Philadelphia. In addition to the effort to support those in recovery Facing Addiction will also include educational caucuses focused on the national crisis of addiction, a focal point for both parties and the subject of pending bipartisan legislation.  Educational caucuses will focus on expanding treatment standards and services, anti-defamation and reduction of stigma around the disease, criminal justice reform and public safety issues, mainstreaming health services to standardize addiction services for better parity and putting a human face to this national crisis. Participants will include elected officials working on the final drafts of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), celebrities and other thought leaders who have brought national attention to the issue of addiction or worked to manifest policy change. 

"First and foremost, nurturing the recovery for those delegates at the conventions is core to our mission," said Greg Williams, Co-Founder of Facing Addiction. "With a significant amount of delegates and other luminaries at the conventions living lives in recovery, Facing Addiction, as the largest advocacy network in the country, is happy to provide wellness and support space for anyone who wishes to come by."

Death from drug overdose is now the leading cause of death in people under the age of 50 surpassing car accidents. Both the CDC and The Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration (SAMHSA) have released data that rates of opiate addiction are the highest ever recorded with more than 21 Million Americans in need of treatment. In many states, voters have listed addiction as the top concern affecting their voting decisions.

"In addition to providing support for those in recovery at the conventions, we have an opportunity to bring together the best minds at both conventions to achieve better policy change, especially as (CARA) becomes law," said Jim Hood, Co Founder and CEO of Facing Addiction. "We have worked with both parties in the House and Senate all year on the two versions of the bills and are proud of the bi-partisan cooperation that is both unique and abundant on this issue. It speaks to both the urgency and severity of the crisis."

Currently, a conference delegation is working to reconcile the two versions of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act passed by the House and Senate earlier this year. The House voted Friday July 8 passed the new version 407-5 in a massive display of bipartisan unity.

Schedules of events and speakers at both conventions is available at www.facingaddiction.org

About Facing Addiction

Facing Addiction (www.facingaddiction.org) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the voice of the over 45 million Americans and their families directly impacted by addiction. Facing Addiction is bringing together the best resources in the field in order to reduce the human and social costs of addiction, every year, until this public health crisis is eliminated. The organization was launched in historic fashion on October 4^th, 2015 from the National Mall at the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally when for the first time tens of thousands of individuals joined together with major musicians, politicians, actors, athletes, models, journalists, and authors to end the collective silence surrounding addiction and recovery. 

SOURCE Facing Addiction

Related Links

https://www.facingaddiction.org