Featuring Performances from Joe Walsh, Steven Tyler, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, The Fray, The Goo Goo Dolls, John Rzeznik and More
The Rally Will Mark “The Day the Silence Ends” for the 1 in 3 US Households Impacted by Addiction
Indianapolis IN -The Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition is proud to join over 450 local, state and national organizations at the “UNITE To Face Addiction” rally, a free event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, October 4, 2015. This coalition will launch a first-of-its-kind campaign to confront America’s denial about the most urgent health crisis facing our nation today – addiction to alcohol and other drugs. The rally is being planned by Facing Addiction; a new organization dedicated to changing the conversation around, and bringing new solutions to, the addiction crisis in America.
The event will feature musical performances by Joe Walsh, Steven Tyler with his Nashville-based band, Loving Mary, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, The Fray, and John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls; powerful, inspirational speakers from all walks of life who have been affected by addiction; and remarks by celebrities, elected officials and other advocates who will join together to stand up to addiction.
“Together we must find solutions to the addiction crisis and put a face on the hope that survivors offer,” said health expert and television host Dr. Mehmet Oz, in a PSA released today in support of the event. In addition to Dr. Oz, other notable individuals who have already embraced and endorsed this event include Congresswoman Mary Bono, Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Author & Activist Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Author & TV Host Pat O’Brien, Entrepreneur and Music Producer Russell Simmons, former Major League Baseball Star Darryl Strawberry, Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, Former Astronaut Steve Oswald and many more.
“UNITE to Face Addiction will mark the first time our nation will collectively stand up to addiction, a health problem that impacts 1 in 3 households,” said Greg Williams, co-founder of Facing Addiction and a person in long-term recovery. “Twenty-two million Americans are currently suffering from a substance use disorder, far too many of those affected have been incarcerated, and more than 23 million others are living in recovery. When you include the families of the afflicted, addiction impacts over 85 million people – we all know somebody. It’s not ‘those’ people, it’s all of us.”‘
“When I lost my son, Austin, to addiction, I had no idea this tragedy was happening all over America – and that in our country, a life is lost to addiction every 4 minutes – the equivalent of a jumbo jet falling from the sky every day, with no survivors,” said Jim Hood, co-founder of Facing Addiction. “We know there are solutions to the addiction crisis and it’s time for America to face addiction and exercise the political and social will to act on those solutions.”
Kim Manlove, Director of the Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition and his wife who lost their son to addiction in 2001 will join thousands of other families in Washington DC to support solutions that are based on compassion, not shame and stigma.
There are many ways to get involved with this groundbreaking event – The Indiana Addictions Issues Organization is organizing a bus trip to attend and those interested can contact Kim at 317- 638- 3501 or send an email to kmanlove@mhai.net . Supporters can also get involved by donating to end the silence around the addiction crisis by texting FACING to 41444.
Additional performers and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about Facing Addiction, including how to donate and updates about the UNITE to Face Addiction rally, please visit Facingaddiction.org and follow @FacingAddiction and #UNITEtoFaceAddiction on Twitter.
IAIC – The Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition is supported in part by a grant from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction and is a subsidiary of Mental Health America of Indiana located at 1431 N. Delaware St. Indianapolis Indiana 46202
