UNITE to Face Addiction Rally to Take Place Oct. 4 on the National Mall

Facing Addiction, a new, national organization that will serve as a voice for more than 85 million Americans impacted by addiction, according to the group, announced today that a “UNITE to Face Addiction” rally will be held in October in D.C.

The free event, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is set for Sunday, Oct. 4, according to a news release from the group. At the rally, Facing Addiction, along with more than 450 diverse organizations from around the country, will launch a first-of-its-kind campaign to confront what the group says is “America’s denial about the most urgent health crisis facing our nation today – addiction to alcohol and other drugs.”

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; speakers from all walks of life who have been affected by addiction will also be on hand as well as celebrities, elected officials and other advocates.

“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:

• Mary Bono, a former member of Congress
• Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner
• Patrick Kennedy, a former member of Congress
• Christopher Kennedy Lawford, an author and activist
• Pat O’Brien, an author and TV host
• Music producer Russell Simmons
• former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry
• William Cope Moyers, author
• former Gov. 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, 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.”

Additional performers and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. To donate to Facing Addiction, you can text FACING to 41444 or visit FacingAddiction.org, where you can also find more information including updates about the UNITE to Face Addiction rally. You can also follow @FacingAddiction and #UNITEtoFaceAddiction on Twitter.