September 20, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE COALITION TO HOST SPECIAL PREVIEW OF
NEW HBO DOCUMENTARY ADDICTION

Screening to be held at MCCC’s La-Z-Boy Center on Sept. 26

          MONROE, Mich. – The Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition will host a special preview of the groundbreaking new HBO documentary Addiction on Wednesday, September 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Monroe County Community College’s La-Z-Boy Center.

            The La-Z-Boy Center is located on MCCC’s Main Campus at 1555 S. Raisinville Rd.  The screening is free and open to the public.

            The Substance Abuse Coalition is holding the screening in recognition of September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, when communities across the country celebrate and recognize the valiant efforts of people who are in recovery from substance use disorders.  Following the screening, a panel of community advocates, experts and individuals in recovery will explore addiction, discuss obstacles in recovery and treatment and offer solutions.

           In partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, HBO is launching the Addiction project, an unprecedented multi-media campaign aimed at helping Americans understand addiction as a treatable brain disease, as well as spotlighting new medical advancements.  To learn more about this campaign, visit www.AddictionAction.org.

           According to the Substance Abuse Coalition, one in four Americans has a family member who is struggling with addiction, and more than 80 percent of people with a substance abuse or dependence disorder started using before the age of 18.  Addiction affects 22.2 million Americans, yet only 9 percent are receiving the treatment they need.  

            For more information, contact April Corie of the Substance Abuse Coalition at (734) 637-6485 or at aprilcorie@yahoo.com.