OUR MISSION: To bring together recovering addicts and alcoholics, along with their families, friends, and allies, to advocate for the rights and needs of those affected by alcoholism and drug dependence. To partner with other advocacy groups and professional organizations to educate as many people as possible and effect positive change. We wish to utilize various forms of media as a key tool in this process. Broad-based education is key to changing societal attitudes, and strategic alliances are crucial to achieve our goals. OUR GOALS: We must de-stigmatize alcoholism and other diseases of addiction, achieve treatment parity for recovering addicts, and ensure that a compassionate and well-informed understanding of the nature of illnesses of addiction becomes the norm rather than the exception among legislators, institutions, family members, and the public. The ultimate goal is to end discrimination and broaden social understanding that addiction is a disease with a behavioral component, much like diabetes, and not merely a matter of lack of willpower or weak character. The science is out there, and we endeavor to help the facts about alcoholism and drug addiction filter into the consciousness of the community. Once they do, they can become the foundation for social attitudes and policy, community education and addiction prevention programs, research, treatment and policy strategies. This is not an easy task. We need all concerned parties to come together in a unified effort to effect positive change. You can help!