OFFICE OF DRUG CONTROL POLICY |
The Michigan Addiction Project is part of a national partnership between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and HBO. The Addiction Project is aimed at helping Americans understand addiction is a treatable brain disease.
This effort resulted in nationwide airing of the HBO documentary "Addiction," and numerous town hall meetings and house parties to mobilize communities around treatment and long term recovery of individuals and their families.
On June 26, 2007, the Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) held a Legislative Briefing to inform policy makers and government leaders about recent advancements that the substance abuse field has made in addressing drug and alcohol addiction, and the ODCP's strategy to mobilize around addiction treatment and recovery.
Opening remarks by Donald L. Allen, Jr., ODCP Director, included reference to "Shoveling Up: The Impact of Substance Abuse on State Budgets," a report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. Mr. Allen also presented an overview of Addiction Briefing Handouts regarding recent treatment data in Michigan. Then 20 minutes of the HBO documentary "Addiction" was shown. The Briefing concluded with remarks by a panel of experts and a question and answer period. In addition to Mr. Allen, other panelists were:
Mark Menestrina, MD, Medical Director, Brighton Hospital Detox Unit and Southeast Michigan Community Alliance
Benjamin A. Jones, MSW, President, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Andre Johnson, MA, President, Detroit Recovery Project
Curtis Hertel, Jr., Legislative Liaison, Department of Community Health
Judge Leonia J. Lloyd, 36th District Drug Court
The premier of the "Addiction" Centerpiece Documentary was shown March 6, 2007, at sites all around the county. In Michigan, the ODCP partnered with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Greater Detroit Area to host a Premier Party at Detroit's historic Gem Theater.