Ohio Citizen Advocates for Chemical Dependency Prevention & Treatment is an organization that strives to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with alcohol and other drug addiction by:

• Educating the public that alcohol and other drug addiction is a preventable, treatable medical illness
• Reducing barriers to treatment
• Advocating for a system of care that supports effective alcohol and drug treatment

Discrimination against people with addiction disease or even in long-standing recovery is frequently very subtle in this country but has huge impacts on the lives of individuals and families. In a recent study, surveying people in long-term recovery, 20% of the respondents listed fear of being fired or discriminated against by employers as the biggest obstacle to getting help for addiction. Other obstacles included denial, embarrassment/shame, the cost of treatment and lack of insurance, and the general lack of treatment programs.

Every citizen can help eliminate stigma by:

• Seizing every opportunity in everyday conversation to educate friends, neighbors, and relatives about addiction and the reality of recovery.
• Sharing your own story of recovery. This helps to put a human face on addiction and change the stereotypes about people who become addicted.
• Expressing your opinion to legislators on relevant state or federal issues and policies.
• Supporting the stigma-reduction efforts of organizations such as Ohio Citizen Advocates.

As one Advocate said, “By our silence we are defined.” Eliminating stigma is a daunting but attainable goal and OCA needs public support.

For more information about becoming an advocate, please contact:
Donna Conley, CEO
Ohio Citizen Advocates for Chemical Dependency Prevention & Treatment
1350 W. Fifth Ave., Ste. 327
Columbus, OH 43212
888.229.1285
www.oca-ohio.org