Shatterproof

Stigma is a key driver of the addiction epidemic and overlaps and intensifies with other forms of stigma and bias. However, there has not yet been a coordinated, national effort directed at reducing stigma, leaving a tragic and enormous gap in our nation’s response.

In partnership with McKinsey & Company and The Public Good Projects, Shatterproof studied 11 analogous social change movements and concluded that addiction stigma could be significantly reduced. Based on our findings, we crafted a plan for the Movement to End Addiction Stigma.

Our programming includes publicly accessible, widely applicable, evidence-based resources that can be provided to multiple stakeholders for stigma reduction. Resources include Just Five digital education; a Language Guide and related training resources; Policy & Benefits Checklist for employers and health insurers; and OnRecovery Personal Story Library of videos and written stories from people in recovery from a range of demographic categories.

The Movement will also include the first-of-its-kind Addiction Stigma Index to measure addiction stigma in the U.S., as well as stakeholder engagement to encourage thousands of organizations to implement Action Plans and recruit others to the Movement. Programming will be piloted in six key systems: State Government, Employers, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Criminal Justice, and Communities.

1) Education for Families - Research shows that the general public is often unaware of or misinformed about the basic facts of addiction. To mitigate this, Shatterproof developed a digital education program, Just Five©, curated to be highly effective for all audiences. Just Five is an online, self-paced, mobile-enabled program focused on increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and sharing information and resources about addiction prevention and treatment. Through the Just Five program, Shatterproof partners with companies to provide life-saving education to their employees and communities.

2) Shatterproof Ambassadors - For too long, people with addiction have suffered in silence. Bringing their voices to the forefront of change is a crucial step in advancing lifesaving policies, removing barriers to quality treatment, educating communities and ending the stigma of addiction. Shatterproof’s Ambassador program unites and empowers a growing army of volunteers from around the nation to help create that change. From holding awareness events to changing policies in their local schools. Ambassadors have played an instrumental role in igniting grassroots support for life-saving policy change. Our Ambassadors are individuals in recovery, family members, and passionate individuals who want to drive impact in their communities.

3) Rise Up Against Addiction 5K Walk/Run - Shatterproof has also launched the largest national event series focused on addiction. These events help advance a national movement to end stigma, honor loved ones, celebrate recovery, connect participants with community resources, and advocate for transforming the treatment system for substance use disorders. In 2020, in light of social distancing measures, Shatterproof held its first-ever virtual Shatterproof Stronger Than Addiction Challenge.