$5 million gift comes as overdose deaths reach an all-time high in the U.S.
Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States, today announced that it is a recipient of a $5 million grant from MacKenzie Scott, American philanthropist, to expand its work on addressing substance use disorder.
The gift will be used to scale Shatterproof’s work using science-based solutions to make change by revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas, educating and empowering our communities and addressing policy change at the federal and state level.
Between April 2020 and May 2021, the CDC reported that United States experienced more than 100,000 overdose deaths which is a 30 percent increase from previous years. According to a study by SAMSHA on substance use and health, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the nation’s well-being and alcohol and drug use is impacting nearly 40 million Americans.
“Our country is suffering, and it is critical that Shatterproof scale the implementation of its science-based strategies and get our tools and resources into the hands of as many of our loved-ones in need as possible,” shared Gary Mendell, Shatterproof Founder & CEO. “Thanks to the generosity of MacKenzie Scott, we will be able to continue to further grow our life-saving work. While we are proud of our results to date, there is so much more work to do to meet the needs of the millions of families impacted by this disease.”
In 2020, Shatterproof launched www.TreatmentATLAS.org, an Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment and Standards (ATLAS®) platform, which aims to empower the public to find high-quality treatment services and ultimately drive the delivery of quality addiction treatment nationally. ATLAS is currently available in six states (DE, LA, MA, NY, NC, WV) and will expand to five more states this year (CA, FL, OK, NJ, PA).
Shatterproof also launched the Movement to End Addiction Stigma, an evidence-based national strategy to address widespread stigma toward those with substance use disorder. Additionally, Shatterproof, in collaboration with The Hartford, released the Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index a first-of-its-kind measurement tool, was designed to assess attitudes about substance use and people who use substances.
Educational materials and helpful assessments and resources are available at www.Shatterproof.org for individuals and families in need of help and support.
About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org
