Hope, Help & Healing
Since January 2005, The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati has spearheaded the pilot of a research-based educational, public awareness program focused on intervention and treatment for users of alcohol and drugs. This communications-based campaign, called "Hope, Help and Healing", was created after more than a decade of research and planning by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and is designed to provide hope to those struggling with addiction, as well as offer help for families in need, by encouraging intervention and treatment for alcohol and drug problems.

In January 2005, "Hope, Help & Healing" launched in Cincinnati through the leadership of the Coalition’s Media Task Force, and in Houston. Research will be conducted through June 2006 in the two test markets (Cincinnati and Houston) and two control markets to evaluate effectiveness of the campaign message and dissemination of the message, and generate further learning to be used in other cities.

Why "Hope, Help & Healing"?
Education and treatment are critical to success in reducing substance abuse. Nationally, 22 million people needed treatment for drugs or alcohol in 2002. In Greater Cincinnati, 200,000 people report concern about a family member's drug or alcohol use (PDFA, 2004). Creating an environment that is supportive of recovery – through information and encouragement – can guide those in need to seek help, and create a healthier environment for the many children at risk of developing problems with drugs or alcohol.

What is "Hope, Help & Healing"?
Through targeted media communication, including advertising and public relations, this campaign seeks to change public attitudes about addiction, intervention, and treatment by communicating messages of hope, help and healing. We hope this stimulates people to intervene and/or seek information to get help for themselves or others through conveying our message that addiction can be effectively treated, while reducing the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.

A key component of this initiative is InterveneNow.org , a comprehensive website with interactive tools and resources for those seeking information about how to help themselves or others. The website also includes a multicultural feature. InterveneNow.org is not designed to replace guidance from in-person counseling. Rather, it is an initial, confidential way to prompt further help and information seeking.

In addition to the website, the campaign is promoting the availability of a local phone resource that will provide help and guidance to those in need. That resource is through the Alcoholism Council of Greater Cincinnati and can be reached at 1-877-281-7884.

Local Partners
The Coalition's Media Task Force is facilitating this campaign in our region and includes representatives from The Alcoholism Council of the Greater Cincinnati Area (NCADD), ClearChannel, Community Press/ Community Recorder, Empower Media Marketing, Rose Communications, Local 12 WKRC television, Procter & Gamble, and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.  

View Creative
If you are concerned about your use or the use of someone you care about, please open our  Hope, Help and Healing booklet  (pdf). Here you'll find information about where and how to begin to get help, what an assessment is and how it's conducted, what an intervention is and how to find help, and more.