In 2015, Ryan Hampton, while recovering from opioid addiction, witnessed an inspiring rally called “Unite to Face Addiction” on television. The rally gathered numerous organizations and advocates for individuals who use drugs on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This experience expanded Hampton’s perspective on the recovery community and the remarkable things they could achieve beyond their regular meetings.
As the founder of Mobilize Recovery, a national advocacy organization for individuals in recovery, Hampton aims to bring this community together on a grand scale. To celebrate National Recovery Month and combat the stigma surrounding drug use, Mobilize Recovery will collaborate with celebrities, federal agencies, and people across the nation to organize a national day of service. This event is expected to be the largest single-day organized event in the recovery community.
The objective is to make a significant impact in communities nationwide during National Recovery Month in September. The Mobilize Recovery Day of Service will align with International Recovery Day on September 30, 2023. This event invites anyone recovering from addiction or substance use, which includes an estimated 20.5 million U.S. adults, to connect with local organizations and participate in community service activities. These activities can range from small park clean-ups organized by friends to large-scale food drives conducted by organizations in major cities.
Hampton emphasizes the importance of service within the recovery community. It aligns with core recovery principles, eliminates prejudices and discrimination against recovering individuals, breaks the silence surrounding their suffering, and fosters a sense of belonging and community. By engaging in service, the recovery community aims to be recognized as valuable members of society.
Mobilize Recovery anticipates the organization of hundreds of service events nationwide on September 30. To facilitate participation, a website has been created for individuals to RSVP for planned community service events or create their own. Already, more than 70 events have been organized, including naloxone training, food drives, donation drives, and beach outreach programs.
Collaborating with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and various national and regional recovery organizations, Mobilize Recovery is committed to creating a day of service that has no barriers to participation. Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, the administrator of SAMHSA, expresses enthusiasm for partnering with Mobilize Recovery and emphasizes the power of the recovery community to drive positive change through action.
Notable co-chairs for this day of service include Melissa Etheridge, whose son passed away from an opioid overdose, rapper Macklemore, who has openly discussed his struggles with drug use, and actor Danny Trejo, who has been sober for 54 years and has a child in recovery. Etheridge believes that the day of service will combat the shame and stigma associated with addiction and highlight the value of recovery in cities and towns across America.
By organizing the Mobilize Recovery Day of Service, this monumental event aims to reshape attitudes and perceptions surrounding addiction, overdose, and recovery. Through service, everyday Americans can witness the tremendous value of recovery.
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