Governor Kaine Announces Virginia Premiere of HBO Multi-Media Campaign

Governor Kaine Announces Virginia Premiere of HBO Multi-Media Campaign

- Documentary "Addiction" to premiere at Richmond's Byrd Theater -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the Virginia premiere of "Addiction," a 90-minute documentary that is the centerpiece of HBO's national "Addiction Project" campaign that will teach people about advancements in the understanding of drug and alcohol addiction and its treatment as a brain disease. The initiative is a partnership between HBO and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse.

The documentary film will be shown free to the public at the Byrd Theater, 2908 West Cary Street in Richmond, at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13th. Following the screening, a panel will address questions on alcohol and drug addiction and on treatment and recovery.

"This event is an opportunity to educate all Virginians about the reality, hope, and promise of effective addiction treatment and recovery," Governor Kaine said. "HBO's overall campaign speaks to anyone concerned about addiction, either addicted individuals themselves, or the family and friends of the addict, all of whom are searching for a better understanding of what addiction is and how to find effective treatment."

The Virginia premiere is an initiative of the McShin Foundation, a non-profit recovery program in Henrico County. Co-sponsors of the event include the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, as well as the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia, the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Central Virginia, the Regional Drug Treatment Alliance, Rubicon Drug Treatment Center, the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals.

"This project is a unique opportunity to communicate with the public about advances in understanding addiction," said Dr. James S. Reinhard, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. "It also allows us to highlight the significant work our community services boards do statewide in providing addiction treatment."

HBO will air "The Addiction Project" nationally March 15-18, and the documentary "Addiction" will be televised at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 15th, and will be available at no charge to all cable subscribers. Over the course of the weekend, various HBO media platforms will feature interviews with physicians and psychiatrists who will address such topics as addiction as a brain disease, psychiatric effects of addiction, adolescent substance dependence, and effective treatment for alcoholism.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=349