IQRR At the UNITE To Face Addiction Rally

Members of our team attended the groundbreaking event, UNITE to Face Addiction, Sunday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and joined forces with organizations helping people with addictions, individuals in recovery, and family members of people with addiction. This historic rally was the first time the disease of addiction was discussed on a national stage and celebrated the 23 million Americans in recovery! It was a moving experience with an atmosphere of love and acceptance. People spoke up about their history with addiction and vowed the silence would end today!

Musical acts like The Fray, Sheryl Crow, and Steven Tyler performed hit songs and advocated for addiction recovery. A message from the President of the United States, Barrack Obama, emphasized adequate healthcare for mental health and addiction and the use of evidence-based treatment methods! Senator from Massachusetts, Ed Markey, agreed and stressed that treatment for addiction must be provided just as that for cancer and diabetes. Patrick J. Kennedy, former Congressional Representative from Rhode Island, got a round of roaring applause when he told the audience he has been in recovery from addiction for 5 years!

The Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, announced for the first time that the Office of the Surgeon General will issue a Surgeon Generals report on drug addiction, from heroin and prescription pain pills to marijuana. Since the first Surgeon General’s report on tobacco and health in 1964 the percent of Americans who smoke has decreased from 42% to 18%! Millions of American lives would be saved if a similar decrease were to occur for the use of other substances.