There's no way to describe
the fulfillment that happened at that moment,
and not just for myself or organization
but for the millions of people that have worked so hard for decades.
For the first time in American history,
to have a sitting president
to actually sit next to somebody who's on long-term recovery
and they communicate
that addiction recovery is a public health crisis
and not a moral failing.
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I get a phone call from the White House
and they say that, "We would like you tomorrow
to meet with the President of the United States,
President Obama,
on stage in front of thousand people and then televised for the world
to talk about addiction recovery for 75 minutes.
We need to know now"
I couldn't imagine being where I am today,
at 19,
stand in front of the garage door, watch my parents go inside and say,
"That's the last time. You can't do this here.
We can't let you do this here
and we won't watch you potentially die in our house."
That really turned into a beginning,
The beginning of my entire recovery trajectory
and my new life today.
Everyone immediately says, "Well, I thought Justin--
Didn't he get into business school?
He was a tennis instructor. I thought he had good parents."
If that's the attitude, how can anyone ever step up and say,
"I need help or my loved one needs help
or is there someone who has gone before me
and can you help me
because my person I care about is dying?"
You can't do that,
when everyone is forcing you to whisper.
[music]
We need people to tell their stories. People need to have hope.
People need to know recovery is possible.
We need you to be a part of creating policies
that will create recovery-ready communities,
put your money where your mouth is,
help us create resources and a cash of resources
to get people their supports that they need.
We need not 1,000, not 10,000,
we need millions of Americans
to get involved with the recovery movement.
We need you.
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