ICYMI: White House Hosts Summit on National Recovery Month
With more than 20 million Americans currently in recovery from substance use disorder, Biden-Harris Administration committed to eliminating stigma, increasing support services, and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need
Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Recovery Month, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Dr. Rahul Gupta hosted a National Recovery Month Summit to discuss the ways all Americans can work together to build a more recovery-ready nation. Building a recovery-ready nation is a key focus of President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy, and supports his Unity Agenda efforts to beat the overdose epidemic and save lives. There are currently more than 20 million Americans who are in recovery from substance use disorder. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to making recovery possible for more Americans by eliminating stigma, increasing support services, and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need.
You can watch the full National Recovery Month Summit here.
At the Summit, Dr. Gupta highlighted key actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to expand treatment access, prevent substance use disorder, and support the tens of millions of American in recovery. The Summit also featured remarks from U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), and local spoken word artist Joseph LMS Green.
During the first panel, Supporting Youth in Recovery, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon moderated a conversation on the importance of prevention efforts and the distinct challenges faced by youth and resources for young people in recovery with Association of Recovery Schools Director Michael Durchslag, Chesterfield Recovery Academy Program Director Justin Savoy and students Zakiya Kearney and Michael Spain.
The second panel, Strengthening Recovery-Ready Workplaces, featured a discussion with executives from across the country, including iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group CEO Greg Ashlock, Fors Marsh CEO Ben Garthwaite, Leidos Health Group President Liz Porter, and Association of Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson. The panelists spoke about the critical need for recovery-ready workplaces to help support the millions of Americans currently in recovery and strengthen our economy.
President Biden declared September as National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the millions of Americans who are in recovery and recommit ourselves to making sure that everyone has access to the services and support they need to rebuild lives of purpose and hope.
Read President Biden’s full proclamation on National Recovery Month HERE.
Read the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Drug Control Strategy HERE.
Read the fact sheet on the Strategy HERE.
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