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Ohio unveiled a new statewide message campaign today that
focuses on diminishing the stigma surrounding addiction and
mental illness. The overarching theme of the message is entitled,"Think
Outside the Stigma". The theme rolled out was part of
a Legislative Day hosted by the Ohio Department of Alcohol
and Drug Addiction Services which featured two out-of-state
leaders as part of the Statehouse event.
Former Democratic Rhode Island State Senator Tom Corderre,
who is a spokesperson for the organization, Faces and Voices
of Recovery, along with David Wellstone, son of the late Congressman
Paul Wellstone joined legislators and members of Ohio Governor
Ted Strickland's Cabinet in rolling out a message of reducing
stigma for individuals suffering from alcohol and other drug
addiction and/or mental illness. Currently, a bill has been
put forth in Congress that was championed by Paul Wellstone
prior to his death. The legislation is entitled Paul Wellstone
Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.
Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Director
Angela Cornelius and a representative from the Ohio Department
of Mental Health delivered keynote remarks at the event.
"As public servants for Ohio, we want to inform the
state about the financial, emotional and physical problems
associated with addiction and how we, as a state, can collectively
overcome these issues through awareness," said Director
Cornelius. "The awareness starts with educating the public
that addiction is indeed a brain disease. Once we begin to
treat and refer to it as such, then we can treat the disease
in all its stages. No one chooses to have diabetes, heart
disease, cancer, or a host of other diseases and thus no one
chooses to have an addiction. When Ohio reduces the stigma
associated with substance abuse and mental illness, the quicker
individuals can receive the services they need to live a full
and productive life. The bottom line is that treatment works,
people recover, and Ohioans are worth the investment."
In addition to the message tagline unveiled at the Legislative
Day, four other supportive key messages were announced that
will be used in conjunction with the "Think Outside the
Stigma" campaign. They are:
* Alcohol and other drug addictions and mental illnesses
are brain diseases.
* Alcohol and other drug addictions and mental illnesses can
affect anyone.
* Alcohol and other drug addictions and mental illnesses are
treatable.
* Individuals with brain diseases should not be discriminated
against.
Also at the Legislative Day, four legislators from the Ohio
Statehouse were honored for their efforts to reduce stigma
and/or provide improved treatment for those suffering from
alcohol and other drug addictions and/or mental illness.
State Senator Ray Miller (D-Columbus), State Representative
Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Heights), State Senator John Carey
(R-Wellston), State Representative Jim Carmichael (R-Wooster)
received the award recognition from the Ohio Citizen Advocates
for Chemical Dependency Prevention and Treatment organization.
Just last month, the State of Massachusetts also launched
a statewide public awareness campaign to address and reduce
the stigma associated with addiction.
Media Contact: Amanda Conn Starner, Chief of Communications,
Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, (614)
644-8456 or connstarner@ada.ohio.gov.
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