The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

NCADD Action Alert

UPDATE

NEW EFFORT IN CONGRESS TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON ALCOHOL, ADDICTION ISSUES

MARCH 23, 2004

Congressional leader on addiction issues and also a recovering alcoholic, Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN) recently announced the formation of the "Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus." Congressional caucuses are informal but organized groups of legislators that exist to advocate for a shared interest. Caucuses play an important long-term role in federal policymaking, focusing attention on their issues and gathering support for legislation. Co-chaired by Representative Patrick Kennedy, (D-RI), membership is open to all House Members of the Democratic, Republican and other political parties. Ramstad and Kennedy understand the magnitude of this national health problem, and they know what needs to be done. "Last year alone, 3.5 million Americans were denied access to treatment," said Rep. Ramstad when announcing the new caucus, "and this is totally unacceptable." He also called on Congress to pass his treatment parity legislation "to end the discrimination against alcoholics and addicts who need treatment."

WHAT YOU CAN DO

This group of bipartisan House members will bring national attention on the political platform to alcohol and other-drug addiction education, prevention, treatment and recovery issues. Urge your Representative to join the Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus. To contact your Representative, visit the JoinTogether Legislative Action Center and click on Make Addiction and Treatment a Priority for Congress. (Note: This caucus is in the U.S. House only, so e-mails to your Senators or other elected officials will not be relevant to them.)

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 phone: 212/269-7797   fax: 212/269-7510 email: national@ncadd.org   http://www.ncadd.org HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)