As we move through the summer, I wanted to share some exciting items that Facing Addiction has been working on over the past several weeks and months! None of these things would have been possible had it not been for the work so many of you do in your communities every day. I hope you’ll take a moment to read about our work at the Republican & Democratic National Conventions, the amazing Facing Addiction Across America series brought to you by my friend Ryan Hampton as well as a terrific opportunity brought to you by the Addiction Technology Transfer Network (ATTC) and our friends at Faces & Voices of Recovery.
Amazing Coverage of Educational Caucuses for Addiction Solutions
Last month, Facing Addiction hosted an Educational Caucus for Addiction Solutions at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland and at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Hundreds of people and many of our Action Network partners turned out to attend these events, as did Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Matt Moore, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Delaware Governor Jack Markell.
Coinciding with these events was the release of Facing Addiction’s Action Plan, a detailed outline of how we will see our advocacy agenda through to fruition. You may click here to read a blog post on the release of the plan, and here for another wonderful piece on our Philadelphia event.
Facing Addiction Across America
Our colleague, Ryan Hampton, and his friend Garrett Hade just finished an unprecedented and historic 2,500-mile, cross-country journey in an RV to talk with Facing Addiction’s action network about what matters to them most: addiction and recovery. Never has the addiction space been an upfront part of a presidential election cycle. And never has a political party elected a delegate so outspoken about his recovery from heroin addiction.
But that’s Ryan, who shared his story at the Democratic National Convention. The broader story, however, follows in the recordings of several of his stops between Los Angeles and Philadelphia which we’ve captured in the Addiction Across America Docuseries.
You can watch the entire series here or watch the episodes individually on our website here.
ATTC Essay Contest
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC Network) is teaming up with Faces & Voices of Recovery and Facing Addiction to celebrate National Recovery Month 2016 (September) with an international essay contest.
The essay contest invites entries from people in recovery both in the United States and abroad, in recognition of the global reach of the recovery movement.
- Entrants are encouraged to use “person-first” language that identifies the person first and the condition second. For example, “I am a person with a substance use disorder” rather that “I am an addict.”
- A judging panel will select the top 20 essays based on specific criteria, including the use of non-stigmatizing and person-first language.
- Prizes will be awarded for the first, second, and third place entries
Complete information about the essay contest, including rules, eligibility, and submission guidelines is available at the ATTC Network’s International Essay Contest page – click here to read the details.
Thanks for all you do! Together, we will continue Facing Addiction!
