And lee hamilton speak an event hosted by the bipartisan tom king and lee hamilton speak an event hosted by the bipartisan next, look at a report on Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health issues. Health and Human Services secretary tom price took part in the event hosted by the Substance Abuse and Health Services administration. This is one hour and 40 minutes. Good morning welcome. Im director of the Sampson Center for mental Health Services and umc for today. Each year sampson releases most recent findings from the National Service on drug use and health. Its commonly referred to as listed. Were releasing results from the 2016 survey and privilege to have our assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse here today to present the key Substance Use and Mental Health indicators. Today marks the 28th annual recovery month observant thats special to me. I among men in the room and thousands across this nation is your proof and evidence that treatment works and people do recovery. [applause] recovery month provides an opportunity for us to celebrate those americans in recovery from Substance Use disorders that celebrates the hard work, the daytoday work of advocates, and grassroots organizations and the family members and friends have joined their loved ones on their journeys of recovery. To begin the program im honored to reduce our secretary. Doctor obtained this with Infectious Disease and epidemiology and is a graduate of the university of Connecticut School of medicine. She has extensive experience in the care and treatment of those living with Substance Use and mental disorders. Shes boardcertified and addiction psychiatry with over 20 years of experience. Her experience in federal and state agencies as a commission, researcher and educator equipped with multifaceted expertise needed to address todays Behavioral Health challenge. Please join me in welcoming the assistant secretary. [applause] good morning, and thank you. Its really great to be here. Welcome everyone. Here at the National Press club on those out watching our webcast im pleased to join you. Its my honor to prevent highlights from this years survey. It is my distinct privilege to share the podium with secretary price our guest speakers. Countless americans are living in recovery by their loved ones and by those were just embarking on the journey to regain their health and reclaim their lives. Our country faces serious challenges and Mental Health and abuse. As with every challenge we must rise and meet headon with clarity and purpose. Coronation of effort, efficiency and strong leadership. Were fortunate to have secretary price who brings a strong commitment to addressing serious Mental Illness in making these issues to of the priority areas. Doctor price was sworn in as the 23rd secretary of health and Human Services. He brings a lifetime of service and dedication to advancing the quality of healthcare in america just both as a physician and policymaker. Trained as an Orthopedic Surgeon and practice for 20 years doctor price help leadership roles and having served as medical director of the orthopedic clinic as well as on the faculty at Emory University school of medicine. As with many physicians and Healthcare Providers doctor prices experience caring for patients gave him a unique perspective about the impact of public policy. With the goal to brought the impact he could have doctor price ran for Public Office and was elected to four terms and following which he was elected to the u. S. House of representatives serving georges six Congressional District for 12 years. Doctor prices but an advocate for Healthcare Systems that are heres the principles of affordability accessibility, choices and response. A secretary for health and Human Services doctor price remains committed to administering a ride rate of services and protecting and serving allamericans. Please join me in welcoming secretary price. [applause] thank you for that kind introduction. Good morning what a great joint is to be here for so many dedicated folks to an issue that deserves so much attention for a nation. I thank you for the introduction and to commend her for her incredible work as she brings remarkable wealth. We are tremendously excited to have your tenure. God bless you. The National Survey on drug use and health is a major task. I dont have to tell most of you that. Getting reliable and comparable information is important to our success. This effort is crucial to understanding the challenges we faced annoying how we need to focus our efforts. Thanks go to all the hardworking folks at samsung for their dedication in producing the survey. Thank you to who is here today for her work as acting head of sampson during the time ms. Put together. None one of the director of the mental Health Services, to darrell, the director of which oversees this. We appreciate rich director here for jordan austin participating in this press conference. I want to give a heartfelt thanks to emmanuel and esther, zach for participating in sharing their story and celebrating recovery month in sharing their personal experiences. The purpose of our work is to shed more sunlight on Public Health and Public Health issues and challenges that require sober reflection and honest evaluation of plan. When we received the briefing earlier this year from the experts im told it was the first time in years that the secretary had received this briefing and pursing. Its not because they dont receive data briefings all the time, its because fred a difficult point in terms of this battle against addiction and drug abuse. And we had hhs in the Trump Administration have chosen to make it a priority. This reflects the urgency weve had until our clinical areas. The opiate crisis and severe Mental Illness. The good news points that i would like to share, the opiate crisis the survey did not show that addiction was taking up the problem is the number of opiate and Overdose Deaths continue to skyrocket. As all who toil in this area you know well the opiate crisis is a deeply complicated story. The fact that were not seen this spread for there is a testament to the incredible work being done in communities across our nation. We have seen results of that positive work as we have gone around to visit folks and discuss best practices. We also heard of tragedy the rates of addiction to heroin the misuse are incredibly high. The cost in terms of lives lost is still rapidly growing. Today survey estimates 948,000 American Adults used here when in the past year. Your. 4 of the population. Similar to the numbers weve had over the past few years and significantly higher than the numbers in 2002 and 2013. We see trends in the use of opiates relatively stable now but much worse than it was a few years ago. The situation is worsening thanks to the intensity and frequency of misuse of illicitly used fentanyl. As you know the crisis is taking a bigger toll on lives across our land. Each year a new unprecedented level of lives lost. We saw more than 52000 drug Overdose Deaths and the numbers are not better in 16 or the issue. Means were losing more individuals there were lost in the entire vietnam war. Were losing every single year to drug overdose. Thats unacceptable. Data from the cdc suggest increasing numbers likely to exceed 60000 with the numbers this year note better. At hhs weve unveiled a fivepoint strategy to tackle this for the american people. Improving prevention, treatment, and recovery including the full range of medication assisted treatment. Second is making sure overdose drugs are is available as possible. Thirty strengthening the understanding of the information and support for state data work like new grants at the cdc put out this week. For this provided support for cuttingedge research on pain, diction and understanding it and how to take care of it better. Fifth is advancing the way we manage pain. One of the interesting aspects is that two thirds of americans misusing opiates so they did so to treat physical pain. We have a congress that appears to ube receptive of those resources necessary to make positive changes of serious Mental Illness. The trade numbers do keep in mind are 10 10 1,010,000,000, 10 years and 10 times. Ted million americans says this survey has found have and Mental Illness said any given year on average they live lives ted years shorter than the average American Population this is one of the areas i begin is incredibly important there are 10 times more americans in prison and an inpatient psychiatric facilities. A significant indictment with the challenge that we have that has not received the emphasis are the resources that it needs of the past and we are intent on turning that around hhs and the Trump Administration are committed to tackling that to ensure those of serious Mental Illness get that it treats effective treatment that they be getting the tools that they need to make that happen and so todays report underscores the serious challenges you will hear about that with the upcoming speakers but it is within our power to turn around these trends in the right direction would enable millions of americans to live longer help the alliance with negative why is endowed with the purpose said meeting we all want for children and neighbors and fellow americans were so blast to have so many dedicated talented folks getting guests of the right direction banks for tending to dave for your interest ted concerned about these Public Health challenges. [applause] agues secretary price for your leadership begins me pleasure to reduce our next speaker who currently serves as within the u. S. Department of health and Human Services the governments lead entity for Behavioral Health statistics to provide National Leadership negative Behavioral Health statistics from the basic research to promote basic and applied research and Statistical Methodology to carry a special Data Collection to also consult and advise through hhs please help me to welcome specific to design and function. [applause] they give. [laughter] a National Survey on drug use and help is a new survey as dave non is additional population of the United States aged 12 years or older. Hundred of field interviewers hold facetoface interviews on sensitive issues and it is hardy and rewarding working with their support it has Spending Continues to be the primary source for statistical and affirmation on illicit drug use and alcohol use, a Substance Used disorders and Mental Health issues. One of the strength is the large sample that allows for the examination of adolescents also of the stability of the symbol of survey designed that allows multiple user data such as injection drug use however overtime new drugs for introduced into the market and updates were updated to a the questionnaire questions are periodically updated which leads to a break to the ability to compare data. In 2015 the number of changes were made to the questionnaire they improve the quality of the Data Collected and address mentalhealth policy and Research Needs as a result the 20,161st Findings Report provides longterm trends for many topics such as heroin use and depression and mental Health Services. However does not have a longterm trend for pain relievers are methamphetamines Substance Used disorder or treatments. We look forward to the 2018 and 19 serve for a terrible four years of data points to share the future to reestablish those trendlines of the critical areas. Now my turn the program back to the assistant secretary who will share major findings from the survey that our policy relevant. [applause] i am happy to have a of opportunity 2016 National Survey drug use on health i will tell you more about it that every year the National Survey surveys 67,000 americans with their use of substances said difficulties of Mental Illness. Thanks to those for dissidents who share their ties with their honesty to share light of these issues is my privilege to work with these leaders but i also want to read knowledge our staff who work very, very hard every year and also work in communities and with states and stakeholders to reprove Behavioral Health of the nation i want to recognize all those who work there i havent had i have had an opportunity to meet them one by one and have been very impressed. So to be completed every year since 1990 even though the study was redesigned there is a number of measures to trend that show consistency tobacco and alcohol use are trending downward am Prescription Drug misuse also appears to be modestly decreasing. I will spend my time talking about those areas the first talk about the prevalence of the data add that we get every year and what we learned in 2016 is 18point 3 people over the age of 12 had a Mental Illness. Twentythree of those people had a serious Mental Illness. These are people diagnosed with a Mental Illness that it impairs activities and in addition we have another 20 Million People who meet diagnostic criteria and when we look more closely at the data em we have 37 percent struggle with illicit drugs 75 struggle with alcohol or both. Wendy look more closely what we see far and away marijuana remains the most frequently used the illicit substance that 13. 9 of the population and after that psychotherapeutic drugs. That is a category of prescribed medication and there are four categories that are stimulants, a sensitive and hypnotic says says, of tranquilizers and opioids a unit medications. What you will see is that the opioid medications is the majority of the of misused for you can see heroin at the bottom 948,000 people that are currently your users if we take a deeper look at both ua use in United States people are continuing to misuse pain relievers. 11. 8 million hour opioid this users and 11. 5 million were prescription opioid users if we look more closely at the medications used by people who engage in this behavior cover the majority are misusing hydrocodone and doxy koto and far fewer are misusing at fennel fentanyl. We have seen those that are reporting they have misused carol wynne and prescription pain medication when we look at the adverse outcomes that we are seeing from opioid is sent driven so we have shown you here is that the data that tells us for 2016 heroin use is flat so were not seeing a big increase but similarly for prescription pain reliever smears seeing a small decline in the number people misusing prescription pain relievers those that the diagnostic criteria for the zero pla use disorder opioid disorder in what is on the right side of the slide only 21 percent are getting treatment for the opioid disorder 37point 5 of those that are using heroin got treatment versus only 17. 5 of prescription pain reliever dictions. That is important because the other thing we are seeing is a large stunning increase of deaths related to heroin use. What i am telling you is in 2002 ordered 4,000 americans over here with users that number increases the lead a look at negative macy end 2002 little over 2,000 negative but by 2016 it looks like they will tell us 13,219 people died of heroin use. 230 increase 630 increase of death people in this country using heroin are being poisoned. This is usually concerning and it is underscoring the need that we increase access to treatment to get people prevention services, and Recovery Services that they need. Now want to take a few minutes of a finding that is very concerning of the prevalence of serious Mental Illness it young adults that we called transitional age use and love we see in 2008 3. 8 had serious Mental Illness that had risen in 2016 of 5. 9 . And will over half of the show and adults could access treatment so 02 Million People little over half could access treatment. These are the most serious disorders that affects peoples ability to function and only half of those people with disorders could access the care they needed. With those adverse consequences. Than what we see from the National Security that nationally we see a significant increase of serious thoughts of suicide but stagnant significantly statistically increase of those who attempted suicide. Why is this happening . We cannot make a difference as to why this is happening. But that we have a large number of years using illicit substances, 8 million, 23 pe rcent of the population and 38 percent of the individuals that engaged in the bin to alcohol use so if you are a man five or more drinks in a session and as a woman for zero or more. Ten is what we define as heavy alcohol users. And to be highly correlated with Mental Illness. And so while we dont know for sure this is what is driving these increases it certainly deserves consideration and we see for all age groups and individuals of the debt that tells us were not getting the job done for the people of america and only 7 percent of people got the Specialty Care that they needed with any mental disorder so although similar findings with serious Mental Illness 35 to get new non negative no treatment. We have to do better. And to have significant dates of depression and those that got no treatment. And with the chief medical officer in with that transitional age youth in looking in that age group fortunate that congress provided those appropriations in the 21st century that we have got now to the states and communities cinder in the process of ripping up to opioid use disorder also use enough funding for prevention and intervention in Recovery Services if you know, oh and opiate or heroin user or if you do have that problem, please let your communities for help were providing the resources so what we need to do to help americans. And the acting director the office of National Drug control policy to coordinate the development and implementation of policy. And to dedicate his career having served in various capacities for nearly two decades ive had the pleasure of working with everyone in the brief period i have been here and i can tell you i am very happy to hall of someone of his dedication and expertise to work with. Please welcome richard. [applause] so with this survey of Economic Policy this is National Investment that is critical to all the work that we do you keep it going with Foreign Policy decisions. Focusing on the drug part of the story some of that has been covered and overview of the data and it is concerning related to marijuana or cocaine a or opioid. Marijuana use has jumped again and that is a concern does receive the trend in continuing with these increases. The past month marijuana use between 18 and 25 the highest using cohort 20. 8 have reported the past month marijuana use the highest ever with the yeartoyear change gives are modest but the direction is clear. The good news is for younger americans with that 12 through 17 cohort that level has not been increasing so that is wonderful that todays young people are resisting that pressure despite all the of misinformation about marijuana and the pressures they face in their life. Marijuana really is a concerted and all the different age cohorts. And that comes out in december and the statebystate data to compare. And to take a look at the variation among states. But i also say that with that of risk has been gradually declining with the Substance Use prevention in nevada is critical to the overall longterm approach but the survey shows that the data us indicates the overdose death continues to climb so on the one hand were making progress then as pointed out the legality like heroin laced with teeeighteen is very serious leading more to overdoses in with the drug supply is terrifying. And many other drugs have fentanyl like cocaine and methamphetamines so people dont know the tremendous risks they face if they buy it drug on the street or where it comes from nbc these counterfeit fentanyl pills that have the actual logo printed on them so you want to buy the medication and it looks exactly the same it could be very deadly. So let me turn to cocaine because the survey shows a growing problem in the United States. To see the highest mobile of use since 2002. And the number that we watch very carefully as joni has showed a jump initiates of 2016 trying for the first time was 1. 1 million. A 15 year i 40 percent more than 2013. There is little doubt to see this increase because of the supply coming out of columbia. Producing over 90 percent with its cultivation and is at record bubbles and in fact, the cocaine production has tripled in the past four years the wave injuring United States poses a serious threats to the communities and with a precise number that the colombian cocaine production has an estimated 235 metric tons and is a real concern. And then to focus on the Opioid Epidemic in that Overdose Deaths related and that is from the preliminary report suggests k mount but that number of fatalities is the highest number of cocaine related fatalities in a single year so these are also related to fentanyl we have to untangle some of that. So this is a multifaceted problem focusing on the whole problem the country faces a lot of the people dying from ovulates have other drugs in their system from a toxicology report. So working hard to redress these threats and to prevent drug use initiation with that compound being drugged it has worked on us way to best address Going Forward and working to stop the flow of these drugs at the border were working hard to redress these threats the were happy to have our federal partners so talking about from recovery is a key part of the solution. [applause] billions of people are in recovery today leading Productive Lives all over the country in your community, look around they are all around us said that journey to reclaim their lives is an incredible accomplishment your so encourage more people are speaking now and sharing their story summer getting training to the recovery coaches and encouraging others to take that difficult first tepid recovery. There is no one path to recovery and frankly it doesnt matter how somebody gets there as long as they get their just as long as they have the tools they need the peppier based Recovery Support i can tell you president from strongly supports peoples recovery. [applause] he is designated september is National Recovery month in his statement he wrote solving the nations drug and alcohol problem with a strong Public Safety response with alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month let us remember those who brave the conquered their addictions and those currently suffering with family and friends also those family members and Health Care Providers and to support those americans and Recovery Support us understand some of problem to do everything they can to make sure they get the help they need and i will read just say we have people all its recovery working sidebyside and they deserve a chance. [cheers and applause] were working yearround to get the message out with that incredible progress said is already happening. [applause] [applause] well done. Is day pleasure with the partnership to create a healthier america of. Ended and long term recovery and i am reminded time and time again people like me do improving a recover. [applause] and also killed Many Americans are not getting the treatment and has 67 percent of americans for what they needed last year 35 went without the mental Health Services they needed over half of adolescence men without treatment for depression. With that serious Mental Illness and those are increasing in adults and adolescents to learn what is driving the trend to improve efforts to continue ways to explore and i do believe we can benefit more that one factor does play. And the role social media may play in terms of influence Mental Illness to have those symptoms more openly to sell to identify also others have raised concern and with that Access Services for children. To have access to care of those grand programs. With that high risk children and families. And with those serious Mental Illness with that collaborative guidance in that shared responsibility with the interdepartmental series. Not just hhs but ted other federal departments. Early engagement in care and to collaborate extensively and then to be with those around the Country Centers for medicare and medicaid with the Behavioral Health clinics to collaborate on the department of justice to was as Outpatient Treatment Services as well live edition to remain a day critical component likewise stable housing to support Greater Community awareness in the key areas of focus to better serve those individuals before i introduced the speakers that this sunday September Ted the world Suicide Prevention in day with the estimates were the hundred thousand people across died by suicide 25 times as many make a Suicide Attempt with those for many Different Reasons each one of these individuals some baby will lead to or schoolmates were others are less wellconnected. Regardless committees have an Important Role to play this years the take a minute and change your life. And to encourage them to get the help. And like the more important than ever that estimates of serious thoughts continue to rise for the in people. And this is a tragedy for all involved. According to the data from cbc 100 people each day die from suicide. So there is hope. And hope for of better tomorrow the next i am honored to introduce you will be followed by his mother and caregiver. A remarkable young man and those that to graduate from Columbia Heights educational campus. To suffer from ptsd as well as societal ideations now when recovery integrated systems to achieve success to find the passion of peer support now led d. C. Specialist and a leader of advocate the adverted advocacy began by participating in the Research Group calling to identify those that our meaningful to young people and with those that would positively impact the Nations Capital to create and implement a program for transitional used this issue for a power in learning and the development. And to interact with their cultures please join me to welcome him. [applause] good morning. Firstever like to thank our Community Partner and to share my recovery journey. And as long as i can remember thinking of a whole with the mother and father to people i have never had growing up the pages seven but was placed in a whole my thought would be peaceful and loving instead it was the exact opposite. That was abused mentally and physically and emotionally the saddest part ted did not tell a soul. And jeff faux whole war footing and i did not let people into my life because they did not trust anyone. And they would not be an issue for me my became an adult end then those that would never be a part of me. I knew something wasnt right but i was afraid to tell anyone and afraid to be different. I hit everything with a smile. And i did not believe people would they said good things about me. I would dismiss the compliments. Resorting to eating with my feelings. Never know that i am not alone. I needed someone i could identify with to see them get help to pursue recovery. For me that person was my mom. With her own diagnosis in jerome problem that prompted me to seek help for result in one of the hardest things i had to do was look of the mayor to a knowledge my life was out of control. Perhaps of a view though with this is like to read mitt that something was wrong. In to participate in their paper co so i put on my big boys pants. [laughter] and started to see if there is. Afterwards i realized i was dealing with ptsd facing anxiety and depression. They hated my diagnosis because i didnt think people would understand with the realize my peers were suffering and had to share my story. I did not know about my Mental Health. So today i stand before you in recovery taking control of my life. [applause] however like to introduce one of the most important people in and the world. [laughter] i may be biased in one of the most powerful and fearless and beautiful women i have ever encountered, my mother. [applause] good morning. I am the proud mother and also thinks for my support networked to refer this year because zero or stored in a whole does to get to this pooley we had a team for this kickoff in in 2017 recovery. [applause] so i have three beautiful children as apparently wanted to provide a safe and stable environment instead i abandon them leaving them to raise themselves and families are all victims. Periodically i would return home saying this is said. And then to have david be gone. And to share with me and that they are struggling and then they got in front of a judge and then to receive the diagnosis than found out for eighth generation of Mental Illness to explain the behaviors to live day life of recovery from a Mental Illness and Substance Used disorder. Been trying to support the manual with his challenges they were a constant figure in his life and every time he left it to a supported him with me. Another impactive their life in the his side needed to share that. So to know how he was affected. And to say i enrolled in college. There that i learned of the techniques and then i helped him with his healing process. We have learned a string san limitations and ended the nonprofits . In that today you have a of a wonderful relationship with all of my children and the opportunity to see his journey the offense over 11 years. [applause] i have watched him grow into waste responsible figure and to support as an example of the recovery they accuse. [applause] faq. Those of us a testament to the strength and resiliency of those who experience a Mental Illness and the power of the country. I am for it to encourage your candor. And then to reduce barriers sam have treatment and Recovery Services. With the treatment then educator with the Behavioral Health field to ensure the Centers Program is focused please join me to welcome kim johnson. [applause] now youve can catch your breath. I have to talk. [laughter] sent to assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. And to confirm our commitment to the american public. And to improve Public Health and safety. With those Chronic Health conditions in the intervention. But with the reduction of about zero years because of the hard work of the colleagues thank you. [applause] for millions of voices raised across the country as they tear apart over families and communities. And then to do incredible things in our communities. But that possibility fuel that ingenuity and growth that is fundamental to our success to address major health issues. And v succeeded in our efforts with science base policy practices and that mitigates the symptoms woman to identify that biological environmental factors in now to shape to the Current Crisis and then the individual factors related to environmental risk. So that visibility Emotional Trauma can contribute to the progression. And a sustainable recovery in with those motivational interviewing. To improve outcomes. And we dont necessarily know yet that programs and then to reach out to engage people and care early on before they overdose. To play a vital role of the treatment and to build communities to the wellbeing of the country. And to focus on comprehensive disorders screening and then collaboration with the mental Health Services to cover Mental Illness. Such as hiv and hepatitis. And then that legislation and coupled with leadership and those unable by the legislation include the rapid growth of Health Care Providers and with that certification process. With that 2017 extension and then to enable those states and territories with the data driven targeted response with those geographic areas on that the. In some of those programs are improving Public Safety and social outcomes. And with those criminal justice. So we remain acutely aware how much we have accomplished and then we have investigated the framework to have the date negative driven programs and with public and private partners so that initial Data Analysis conducted in conjunction with the help the analytics the expanded our understanding the publicprivate efforts must we screening and treatment of a Substance Used disorders consistent with the findings with the research from Columbia University so in close collaboration with our partners and stakeholders will focus treatment and the engagement of high quality care with sustained recovery to achieve the aims. Said nine of a moment to catch your breath that his mind privilege to introduce mr. Talbott was overcome the opioid use disorder but university of tennessee in knoxville his other treatment programs serves as the sponsor as Program Director. He currently serves of the Credentials Committee on the Certification Board of the board of directors on chemical dependency. Your Proof Positive people recover and go want to do incredible things they give for your courage and commitment to turn the tide of Substance Abuse disorder in to support those to overcome the devastating conditions. [applause] hello aicher leave decided it in georgia as a Program Director for the Opioid Program born in eastern tennessee and grew up in a small southern town about 30 minutes out of box fell. So we prioritize families and education to graduate with my bachelors degree before rolling in the master is of social work program during my time is a graduate student in the social work program ironically enough i was prescribed opioid paid vacation for some minor pain. Something almost immediately change in me. And then they began to engulf my life now long before i was academically dismissed if i was a regular heroin user i could recall going to the bathroom in graduate school and shooting happened between class is to ward off withdrawal symptoms for go before my academic dismissal i was a high functioning addict i came from a good family with a good is southerns stock. River not addicts but people of faith and will models played here to tell you today that opioid edition does not discriminate and knows no boundaries race or gender or Sexual Orientation the idea then half the dedicated to the new millennium i was living in the hell that began with the illusion that i go day in and day out just to avoid withdrawals the illusion that last only for the first parts such is the daily life of somebody evicted without prescription pain killer or heroin but there is hope. Being a graduate student when i was sick and tired of being sick and tired i begin to realize what would give me the best chance of success something that was being added to me and my time in college to think what i should do is and when i was ready. So like so many other people i was hesitant. And then to add that the fed worse but i was desperate. And then with though long wait list and then i drove two hours and in one direction it was the best decision i ever made. To stabilize without medication to break the chains to avoid with drawls but met with compassionate Treatment Professionals and counseling was even more important priority than the medication the old zack came back i began to reevaluate my lifes goals if they stop living to avoid a withdrawal and was breaking the chains but today you are looking at the true face of medication assisted treatment with a medication assisted recovery [cheers and applause] i did not trade what did extend for another but i traded dysfunction for stability and misery for pope. I got my life back and be caving in fall dead Patient Advocacy and treatment as a clinical social work was back i have real role to get the degree and double bed to new treatment programs as the sponsor writing policies and procedures bidwill and steady to work certification i am successful and live a a recovery of life than this recovery might it was made possible because of medication assisted treatment. Methadone combined with quality callously saved my life. Since those early days i can slowly tapered down my dosage while working on line relapse and coping skills but that is not possible for everyone. Just like any of other chronic disease different people will be different amounts of medication many end recovery may need longterm maintenance and that is okay. [applause] what matters is someones life and theyre quality now whether not they happened to take a metal a medical vacation we have a moral obligation to support all options offer help and hope accident based or shortterm or months to years or indefinitely we have to support all the medications and our disposal to combat this crisis. Of the medications have their place and we should not put anyone against the other remote support the use for overdose reversals of people like me can stay alive long enough until we get the help and the Evidence Based Health that we need we have to train First Responders trainers and counselors in families and friends at risk how to administer and used the drug and some need more than one dose and for others and may take more than one overdose before their freddie for treatment and have to do what is necessary to keep them alive but what has been a proven if we are going to turn this around you are looking at the true face of this epidemic, one of the lucky ones who happened to stumble into a Treatment Center that prioritized science and research over stigma and fear in because of that along with my own dedication to recovery i am here to speak with you today and by recovery means and the thought everything to me. Without that i likely would not have my life so i personally want to extend my heartfelt takes two or leaders today and to President Trump for convening the commission as they work to bring to the publics eye health and help to take us all working together despite political affiliation to turn this epidemic around. [applause] were fortunate you share that recovery with us with those advocacy efforts to get back to the Community Also being a social worker. [laughter] before i open the floor to questions, thanks to all speakers one more time. [applause] so we will start with the credential the press so if you do have a question please indicate which panelist. If there is none from media . We are talking a lot about the Opioid Crisis five appreciative and i have not heard much about alcohol per barrel were seeing increasing use of dead people so i am curious what they pay income of alcohol rule in this epidemic . Alcohol is the biggest if you look at how many people and death related to alcohol the distil higher then overdose death although it is close. That is a critical issue but we have done a good job with adolescence but it is the young adults and they start pretty heavily so that target with that particular age group we need to do a much better job with prevention and treatment for that age group. In particular the help reach they dont take they have a problem there is a social environment where they use is normal and we have to address that. My question this year is has to bend any progress of recovery data . I am glad you asked that. We added recovery questions to the 2018 survey. [applause] were looking forward to the data. Im longterm recovery with your recognition in the of recovery during their remarks so what they need to champion to have cystine cover a lighted fail to mention the importance of recovery to solve the crisis . Not just talk about the entire continuing. Let me answer the question directly this report is only the very first piece of what they are working on with day comprehensive report that the end of october i do very confident with that strong wing greg related to recovery and we absolutely are committed to understanding and removing obstacles theyre trying to get their lives back and as i said in my remarks theyre doing what we want them to do they are reclaiming their lives so people taken these difficult steps may have to make it easier, not harder and is certainly understand those conversation in civil and the challenges so they should be removed to one that back in the workplace and in the community and committed to understand those obstacles the laws or regulations that we could address 100 percent. Percent of longterm recovery this has been powerful everyone that has pope has been so powerful. But there is a story in the data with milliken young people that are using marijuana i thought the ford family was excellent because they talked what was related. If we stream that together around cigarettes we have to look at prevention in to get the message out how would is connected to the longterm outcome looked at cigarettes the number of people if were going to turn this around we have to focus on having people. [applause] i am a person in longterm recovery so people come non of incarceration with Substance Abuse disorders of reintegration is there anything we can do as a community to come together to provide the services that are desperately needed or how to balance a checkbook . Mike keenan of incarceration after 20 years i was lucky i had people who had support. But many people dont so going back into the prisons today to bring hope i spent over 20 years of my life and to show them ways but there is nothing there for them. And the thing the stigma and jobs coming together i am the manager of a program i provided then support services and it is incredible last week alone responding to 111 calls in Emergency Rooms in the smallest state in the country but 69 were out of response. As a returning a Citizen Affairs and we are aware between d. C. And our mayor and the commissioner and then with that citizen and we did not realize to know the behavior we go into the jail because we tried to say it is a k negative need the support when you come home because i had worked in the jail for a couple years the when they leave there is a disconnection. And with a support network and its okay to take medication to that. It is they were a kid process. As they worked together so not a single a mission with a severe Mental Illness occurred except for those with criminal charges. Or even from jail or from prison by that competency evaluation and treatment. That is just wrong. Having observed that one of the data is that adobe a priority when i would like to see our programs diverting from the Justice System to get the services that they need. [applause] to give that opportunity with those increases to the justice and juvenile intervention program. Well help to understand better to disseminate that information and for more resources to help with Community Treatment programs and then to provide more services working with the cms to cut laverty collaborate so they can get the resources is that they need. But that requires for the first time the assistant secretary must work with other agencies so with that coordinating committee already the federal partners are working with us with housing and urban development and looking at programs how to better serve people for copings for asking. [applause] we have time for one more question. This is a great example of recovery and one of the things you mentioned is my question is twofold selfhelp support groups are Evidence Based Practice that is underutilized is there an effort to increase in a connection and in l. A. County and they became Profit Centers for a large agencies with that to roll out difficult from here to fidelity. How do we address those stains . Is a tall order Evidence Based Practices have the information we need because many types of programs for pope but to provide oversight and guidance to states in communities of Evidence Based Practices and one of the other things that we need to do to work with the insurers of the Evidence Based Practices of Behavioral Health. [applause] you cannot get paid for what youre doing you dont do with. And then working with insurers. And those that have Behavioral Health issues with that same type of treatment of a medical illness it is different from physical illness so one of our jobs is to make it clear that parity requires those services to be compensated for the if care that they need. [applause] end to put this in bed together. [applause] en to invite each of us view to visit us online three will find access to data resources and Educational Resources information of treatment locations that concludes todays press event happy recovery month. [applause] [inaudible conversations]