For too long those most affected by alcohol and other drug problems have been absent from the public policy debate. Faces & Voices of Recovery was founded in 2001 at a Summit in St. In the 1990s, advocates and their national allies met to strategize on ways to reach out to the medical, public health, criminal justice and other communities about the possibilities of recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, forming The Alliance Project. The project and its supporters found inspiration and support in the writings of historian William White and in the airing of a groundbreaking television series on addiction produced by Bill Moyers. The Alliance Project began planning for a national gathering; among their key tasks was the commissioning of the first national survey of the recovery community, The Face of Recovery. Paul Summit was the culmination of from more than two years of work to provide focus for a growing advocacy force among individuals in long-term recovery from addiction, their families, friends and allies. To celebrate and honor recovery in all its diversity
2). To foster advocacy skills in the tradition of American advocacy movements
3). To produce principles, language, strategy and leadership to carry the movement forward
The nearly 200 participants were selected to represent the national recovery community – by geography, culture, recovery path, gender, etc. Speakers included the late Senator Paul Wellstone and Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN). The Summit is best seen as a point along a curve of events charting the awakening, maturing and mobilizing of an American recovery advocacy movement. Faces & Voices of Recovery Summit 2001 Proceedings
At its 2001 National Summit, Faces & Voices of Recovery adopted a Core Positioning Statement, laying out the principles for a national campaign and elected a 22-member Campaign Advisory Committee to provide leadership to the campaign. Throughout the U.S., recovery advocates were hard at work on local and statewide campaigns. In 2003, Faces & Voices of Recovery elected a 13-member Campaign Steering Committee to streamline and revitalize its work and make it more responsive to the recovery community. In 2004, Faces & Voices of Recovery was incorporated and received IRS designation as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation. In 2005, a 21-member Board of Directors was elected to advise and direct the campaign.
