Courtesy whitehouse.gov
Recovering opioid addict, activist, and artist Macklemore paid a special visit to the White House on Saturday to talk addiction with President Obama. The sober, Grammy-winning rapper was addicted to prescription painkillers and has written about it in his music.
Macklemore lived to tell the tale and his 2012 award-winning album with Ryan Lewis, The Heist, is chock full of references to his drinking and drugging days and the demons he fought while trying to get sober.
“I’m here with President Obama because I take this personally,” Macklemore said — watch his comments with Obama below in the weekly video address. “I abused prescription drugs and battled addiction. If I hadn’t gotten the help I needed when I needed it, I might not be here today.”
Obama pointed out that deaths from opioid abuse have tripled since 2000, surpassing the number of traffic accidents.
“This week the House passed several bills about opioids, which is great,” Obama said, singling out the need for Washington to put its money where its mouth is. “But unless they also make investments in more treatment, it won’t get Americans the help they need.”
Obama recognized that addiction to drugs often begins in the home, straight from the medicine cabinet. He also wants to change the focus on drug addicts as criminals. “We’re working with law enforcement to help get people into treatment and out of jail,” Obama said.
Macklemore identified the need to change the dialogue when it comes to addiction.
“[The] shame and the stigma associated with the disease keeps too many people from seeking the help that they actually need,” Macklemore said. “Addiction isn’t a personal choice or personal failing. And sometimes it takes more than a strong will to get better. It takes a strong community, and accessible resources.”
“We have to tell people who need help that it’s OK to ask for it,” Macklemore continued. “We’ve got to make sure they know where to get it… I know that recovery isn’t easy or quick, but along with a 12-step program, treatment has saved my life.”
Macklemore’s meeting with Obama will be the subject of an MTV documentary airing this summer.
