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Advocacy
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What is Recovery Advocacy
Recovery advocacy is a process of exerting influence to advance public policies and programs that help initiate and sustain recovery from addiction. By speaking out, members of the recovery community can make a profound difference in public understanding of addiction and recovery, breaking down the wall of shame and stigma that creates discrimination against people in recovery.
IAIC Public Policy Agenda
Learn about the issues and be a part of the solution.
The IAIC develops an addictions-focused public policy agenda each year to guide
its membership on key issues. Our primary issue of focus for 2011 will be legislation supporting the re-entry of non-violent alcohol / drug offenders. Often times, people with substance abuse disorders also have a criminal record. Having served their sentence, their debt to society is paid in the court's eyes. However, significant barriers due to having a criminal history remain, particularly related to securing employment. IAIC will focus on "Second Chance Legislation" to help non-violent alcohol and other drug offenders increase their chances for successful reintegration back into the community.
As a subsidary of the Mental Health America of
Indiana (MHAI), our integrated Legislative Agenda can be found at the MHAI
Legislative page. For each Issue, an action-oriented Statement is included
outlining our position.
Education and change needs to happen at the legislative and public
levels!
Members are encouraged to be aware of these issues and to consider
contacting your legislator as part of the advocacy process. Information on how
to do so -- including tips on how to effectively get your message across --
can be found at the MHAI Legistlative page under Contact
Your Legislator. Understanding the issues facing our recovery community
can also help you in conversations that might come up with family, friends or
co-workers.
IAIC also invites its members to help us by alerting us to what is happening
to you personally, or what you are hearing about from friends and family. Contact
us via email or phone (listed at the bottom of this page).
Other Indiana Interests
The Jennifer Act
Helping the Addicted. Sharon Blair lost her daughter to drug addiction and is advocating for policy change in Florida and Indiana.
National Groups
Join Together
Join Together leads initiatives to help communities respond to the harms caused
by excessive alcohol and drug use and provides free internet services supporting
their efforts.
Faces and
Voices of Recovery
Provides focus for a growing advocacy force among individuals in long-term
recovery from addiction, their families, friends and allies.
Legal Action Center
The Legal Action Center is the only non-profit law and policy organization
in the United States whose sole mission is to fight discrimination against people
with histories of addiction, HIV/AIDS, or criminal records, and to advocate
for sound public policies in these areas.
Other States
Pennsylvania
PRO-ACT, Pennsylvania Recovery Organization - Achieving Community Together,
is a grassroots advocacy initiative founded to promote the rights of - and ensure
opportunities for - those still suffering from the disease of addiction.
New Jersey
NCADD-New Jersey works in partnership with and on behalf of individuals, families,
and communities affected by alcoholism and drug dependence to promote recovery
through excellence in prevention and treatment initiatives.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) promotes and puts a
positive face on recovery through advocacy.
Kentucky
PAR-People Advocating Recovery
A Kentucky group of concerned individuals working to eliminate barriers to recovery
from addiction.
Ohio
Ohio Citizen Advocates for Chemical Dependency Prevention and Treatment
The IAIC is a subsidiary of Mental Health America of Indiana
Jill Matheny : Director
Send Email
1431 N. Delaware St. Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-638-3501 ext 231