Well, it finally happened.
Dreams really can come true. I've learned you need only one thing to make the impossible possible.It's not money. Luck. Ambition. Support. Or even hard work.
All those are key.
But the one aspect ESSENTIAL to making any dream a reality is to never, ever, ever give up.
As I sit here, tears streaming down my cheeks, I know that no matter what else happens in my life; no matter how shitty my week has been or how difficult it is to have people question your character or sobriety....none of it matters.
Because today I get to share with all of you this....the best news of my entire life, thus far.
Thank you all who've believed in us & helped so much, for so many years. We love you.
Kristen
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| SLAM's founders Kristen Johnston & Joe Schrank |
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| SLAM board president Thom Krauss & Kristen Johnston |
MEDIA RELEASE
After an eight-year odyssey, today SLAM announced it's bringing a recovery-focused program to a NYC public high school
New York, 23 March, 2015 –
The drug and alcohol epidemic in the United States is a national health crisis, especially among our teenagers. According to the US Government and Columbia University, one out of every five teenagers in the US meets the medical criteria for addiction.
The number of teens in New York City and state suffering from drug and alcohol addiction are well above the national average--- OASIS reports that in the state of New York, almost 160,000 teens age 12-17 have a substance abuse problem. If a teen is lucky enough to be sent to a rehab, 90% of them relapse upon returning to school. 80% in the first 30 days.
This is why SLAM (Sobriety, Learning, and Motivation) was created eight years ago. Founded by Kristen Johnston, Thom Krauss and Joe Schrank, SLAM is a nonprofit organization committed to creating New York City’s first recovery supported tract within a high school. SLAM is a board comprised of New Yorkers from all walks of life who all came together out of their shared desire to help teens struggling with addiction. SLAM has had priceless support & guidance from Michelle Lipinksi, the creator and principal of Northshore Recovery high school, one of the first sober high schools in the Boston area.
Today, SLAM’s board is incredibly proud to announce a collaboration with Lavelle prep in Staten Island- a school already renowned for its curriculum...and now the first NYC public school to take the extraordinary step of implementing an intensive recovery program specific to the many teens in NYC seeking recovery from drugs or alcohol.
“We are beyond thrilled to announce this new partnership with Lavelle Prep; it’s an incredible step forward,” says Joe Schrank, recovered alcoholic, founder of TheFix.com, and leading NYC addiction expert. “We at SLAM believe that New York City kids suffering from addiction deserve a school where they will not only receive a top-notch education in a recovery-centric environment entirely free from drugs and alcohol, but also learn the crucial life skills necessary to grow and thrive for the rest of their lives."
“Addiction is our black plague,” says SLAM's Executive Director Kristen Johnston, an Emmy award winning actress who's also a passionate addiction advocate and the author of the bestselling memoir GUTS. "Addiction is an epidemic that kills hundreds a day, many of them children. This is a disease that doesn't just destroy the lives of those suffering from addiction. There's also a terrible toll on those who love those suffering. As a society, we can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand, hoping if we ignore it, addiction will just go away. We must change how we navigate every element of this disease, and we must do this now."
Mr. Schrank agrees “Of course we’re focusing on teens who need recovery, as well as providing support for their loved ones. However, since more than 11 million children are living with an addicted parent, helping those kids will be our focus as well."
SLAM’s program will include not only Lavelle’s top-notch college preparatory curriculum and extensive additional support and counseling to help recovering students reach their full potential, but it will also support students with an impaired parent. SLAM will act in an advisory capacity as well as fund-raising to provide much needed support, including an on site CASAC (certified addiction and substance abuse counselor).
Ms. Johnston adds “Since it’s well documented that adolescents who use drugs or alcohol prior to the age of 21 years old are FIVE times more likely to develop long term addictions, there’s only one way to successfully fight this epidemic. We have to start at ground zero: with our kids."
NYC addiction psychiatrist and SLAM board member Dr. Scott Beinenfeld agrees "It is essential to begin to address the disease of substance abuse as soon as possible. At 20, 25 years old…it’s too late. Not for sobriety, of course. But too late to stop the terrible negative toll addiction will take on their lives, and ours, for years to come."
The stats don't lie: if a teen struggling with addiction attends a recovery high school, 70% of them graduate clean & sober.
For interview and media queries, contact Annie Scranton at o: 212.254.4730c: 732.642.7192f: 212.257.6441annie@pacepublicrelations.com
For more information on SLAM, or to make a donation
http://slamnyc.org
