On International Recovery Day, President Biden, Administration Officials Celebrate the Millions of Americans in Recovery
President Biden: “I want to celebrate all of you out there who are in recovery — and remind those who are not yet in recovery — or who have a loved one with a substance use disorder — you are not alone.”
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, President Joe Biden, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy Regina LaBelle, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, and Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, PhD. shared messages of hope and encouragement to the millions of Americans in recovery from substance use disorder. These messages were featured as part of a virtual program, hosted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), with individuals in recovery and leaders from the recovery community. The program highlighted the ongoing work to advance equity in recovery, the multiple pathways to recovery, medications for opioid use disorder, the intersection of harm reduction and peer recovery supports services, and the importance of recovery-ready workplaces.
Participants of the roundtable discussion included Senior Policy Advisor at ONDCP Tom Hill, Senior Advisor for Recovery at SAMHSA Dona Dmitrovic, Chief Operating Officer at Faces & Voices of Recovery Phil Rutherford, Collegiate Recovery Coordinator at North Carolina A&T State University Dr. Dominique Clemmons-James, Cultural Consultant of the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan Linda Woods, and Board-Chair of the National Alliance for Medicated Assisted Recovery Zac Talbott.
Also, as part of Recovery Month, First Lady Jill Biden and Acting Director LaBelle visited National Capital Treatment and Recovery in Arlington, Virginia, yesterday. They met with people in recovery who shared their personal stories and described the work they do to help others on their paths to recovery. The First Lady and Acting Director also heard about evidence-based recovery support services offered to individuals in the program and the power of community in making recovery possible.
View President Biden’s Recovery Month video HERE.
View the roundtable program HERE.
Key Quotes:
“As National Recovery Month comes to a close, I want to celebrate all of you out there who are in recovery — and remind those who are not yet in recovery — or who have a loved one with a substance use disorder — you are not alone,” said President Biden.
“Ensuring access to recovery for everyone aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equity. And by expanding harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services we can put recovery within reach of more people,” said Acting Director Regina LaBelle.
“For everyone in recovery; everyone thinking about recovery; all those who are struggling, or worried about a loved one — I want you to know: You’re not alone. There is hope. And recovery is for everyone,” said Secretary Walsh.
“We are all called to welcome everyone to recovery, to lower barriers, create inclusivity, and broaden our understanding by listening to those in, or seeking recovery,” said Assistant Secretary Delphin-Rittmon.
In its first-year drug policy priorities, the Biden-Harris Administration outlined a strategy that includes expanding access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services, as well reducing the supply of illicit drugs. The President’s FY22 budget request calls for $10.7 billion to support research, prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services, with targeted investments to meet the needs of populations at greatest risk for overdose and substance use disorder. Notably, SAMHSA’s FY22 request includes $3.5 billion for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, which for the first time includes a 10 percent set aside specifically for recovery services.
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