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Victory! Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 signed into law

On October 3, President Bush signed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 into law as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (HR 1424). The law will begin to end the insurance discrimination facing people with addiction and mental illness.

The victory came after years of advocacy that picked up it pace over the last two years under the leadership of Representatives Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) in the US House of Representatives. They were joined by the House and Senate leadership and Senators including Pete Domenici (R-NM), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) in providing the Congressional leadership that led to final passage.

Recovery advocates across the country were joined by David Wellstone, son of the late Senator Paul Wellstone in countless Call-in Days, email campaigns, visits with members of Congress at home and in Washington, DC and media outreach to tell the story of insurance discrimination. This victory would not have been possible without your tireless advocacy and the efforts of allied organizations across the country.

Read more at Faces and Voices of Recovery.org

New National Poll Reveals Public Attitudes on Substance Abuse, Treatment and the Prospects of Recovery
Finds some significant differences in perceptions among various population groups. Nearly half of American adults report knowing someone in recovery from the use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, according to survey results announced today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (9/30/08)

Recovery Month Promotion

Updated September 9, 2008
The following packages of PowerPoint presentation materials can help you promote National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) in your local community. Use the presentations to generate community awareness, support, and involvement in the Recovery Month observance as well as to educate others that recovery is possible.

National Survey on Drug Abuse Released at Recovery Month Press Conference
(Thursday, September 4, 2008)

The September 4, 2008 Kickoff Press Conference ushered in the month-long National Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Month observance and highlighted trends of the 2007 National Survey of Drug Use and Health. The annual survey is the government's primary vehicle for determining how many persons are misusing illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco, and its release marked the kickoff of the 19th annual Recovery Month, which recognizes the impact that real people and real stories have on recovery, and celebrates those who have worked to advance the treatment and recovery landscape and lauds the gains made by those in recovery from alcohol and drug abuse, as well as treatment providers. H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Director, SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, opened the Recovery Month press conference and spoke on the importance of and impact of real people and real stories on recovery, and celebrated those who have worked to advance the treatment and recovery landscape. Other presenters included:

John Walters, Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

RADM Eric Broderick, Acting Administrator, SAMHSA

Candy Finnigan, Drug and Alcohol Interventionist appearing on the A & E docu-drama Intervention

Nathaniel Anderson, a person in recovery from drug abuse

 

View streaming video of the press event (55 minutes 15 seconds)

View the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Conference Advisory

SAMHSA celebrates the 19th annual observance of "National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month)"

On Thursday, September 4, 2008, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics and Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. hosted a luncheon to celebrate the 19th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, "Join for Voices for Recovery, Real People, Real Recovery". In addition to celebrating the 19th annual celebration of Recovery Month, joint emcees, Sis Wenger, President/CEO, National Association for Children of Alcoholics and Brian Dyak, President and Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. also commemorated the organizations' 25th anniversaries. Dr. H. Westley Clark, Director, CSAT, spoke on the impact that real people and real stories have on recovery, and celebrates those who have worked to advance the treatment and recovery landscape. Ms. Candy Finnigan, Drug and Alcohol Interventionist appearing on the A & E docu-drama Intervention, also presented her some of her experiences. The luncheon was held at the Newseum's Knight Conference Center in Washington, D.C. and was supported by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective substance abuse treatment for those in need. Each year a new theme, or emphasis, is selected for the observance.

MULTI-YEAR CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS THAT ADDICTION IS A CHRONIC, TREATABLE DISEASE AND THAT RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE
INITIATIVE INCLUDES A PUBLIC RALLY IN NYC ON SEPTEMBER 27^th, CELEBRITY PSA'S AND GRASSROOTS EXTENSIONS

NEW YORK, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A&E Network today announced the launch of The Recovery Project, a wide-ranging, multi-year initiative designed to help raise awareness that addiction is a treatable disease and recovery is possible. The Recovery Project -- inspired by the incredible response from viewers, individuals and families in recovery to the Emmy-nominated documentary series Intervention -- strives to shed light on the scope of the addiction crisis, and its impact on society.

The Recovery Project kicks off on Saturday, September 27th with a public celebration organized in partnership with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) in New York City. Thousands of individuals and families in recovery, treatment partners and advocates from all fifty states and the District of Columbia, will join together to form a human chain -- a living symbol of recovery -- across the historic Brooklyn Bridge and proceed to a rally at City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan.

A&E has partnered with several leading federal agencies and non-profit organizations to develop The Recovery Project, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD); and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA).

For more information, visit http://www.therecoveryproject.com.

Faces & Voices of Recovery Hosts more than 80 Events Nationwide on September 20th Rally for Recovery.

Faces and Voices of Recovery's 2008 advocacy activity is Recovery Voices Count!, a nonpartisan civic engagement campaign that promotes civic involvement by the recovery community. For information on ways that organizations are using Recovery Voices Count in their Recovery Month activities, please go to the Faces & Voices web site at www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org. Event organizers in each state are inviting elected officials and candidates for public office to their Recovery Month events this year, to introduce them to the recovery community and demonstrate the reality of recovery.

The 2008 Rally for Recovery "hub event" will be at Hands Across the Bridge at Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, linking the recovery communities in Illinois and Missouri. A broad-based coalition of advocates has been meeting and planning this event for months and organizers have secured the participation of Louis Gossett, Jr. as the main guest speaker.

Also on September 20, Faces & Voices will be releasing The Recovery Bill of Rights. The Recovery Bill of Rights is a statement of the principle that all Americans have a right to recover from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

It has been endorsed by allied national organizations and calls on all Americans and our elected officials to take action to build communities of recovery that will support the more than 22 million Americans and their families still needing help and to end discrimination facing millions in long-term recovery. To endorse The Recovery Bill of Rights, download a poster and find out more about how you can support The Recovery Bill of Rights, go to www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/about/campaigns/bill_of_rights.php

We encourage everyone in recovery to raise the national profile of the recovery community and publicize the growing recovery movement by sending us photos of your Rally for Recovery. Email your event pictures to info@facesandvoicesofrecovery.org with a caption identifying each person in your picture and its location, city and state. All participants are also encouraged to post their pictures on this site under the Community Events section.

Addiction Nurses Week: September 24 - 30

The International Nurses Society on Addictions is holding its first annual Addiction Nurses Week, September 24 - 30, celebrating the contribution of nurses in addiction treatment. Addiction nurses know firsthand the effects of addiction and the process of recovery, from treatment to counseling to education and from working with patients, families and communities. Be sure to celebrate Addiction Nurses September 24-30 by wearing purple and pink ribbons. For more information, please visit the www.intnsa.org.

How to Plan a Recovery Month Event

SAMHSA's collaboration with the United for Recovery brought together motorcycle riders, people in treatment, recovering individuals, and friends and family members from all over Southern California for the Ride for Recovery event. Learn how you can plan a Recovery Month event in your community.

View Ride for Recovery Los Angeles streaming video (1 min)

Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care (Final Report)

The Task force held public hearings, reviewed studies and research regarding program and organizations improvements to the military health care system, and visited military health care sites. As part of the public hearings, the Task Force also has heard extensive testimony related to improving business and management practices and realigning fee structures. The task Force has laid a solid framework to sustain and improve the future of military health care.

View the Recovery Month webcast Recovery and the Military: Treating Veterans and Their Families. This program examines treatment availability and alcohol and drug addiction treatment options available for veterans and their families. The show also addresses current trends and prevalence of substance use disorders among veterans and will shed light on current addiction treatment issues facing veterans and their families.