Program targets individuals with far higher smoking rates than the general population.

BOSTON, MA -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced a nicotine patch giveaway for those in recovery from alcohol or other drugs who want to quit smoking.

People in recovery who call the state's Quitline at 1-800-Try-to-STOP will receive a free four-week supply of nicotine patches valued at $100 retail, along with informational resources on the benefits of quitting smoking and tips on how to stop. Program participants are also eligible for free telephone support to help them quit. The patch giveaway program will run through December 31, 2008.

"People overcome great obstacles when they put down alcohol and other drugs," said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach, "but if they continue to smoke, they face a huge risk of dying from tobacco." More than 300 people heard Auerbach speak at a State House rally in honor of Recovery Day, an annual event sponsored by MOAR (Mass Organization for Addiction Recovery).

"Though smoking rates have fallen in Massachusetts to a low of 16.4%, smoking rates among people entering substance abuse treatment top 75%" Auerbach said. He added that the smoking rate for individuals who have ever attended Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or received treatment for drug or alcohol use is 47.6%*, and as many as 60% of professional and support staff working in substance abuse treatment services are smokers.

Tobacco-related diseases are the leading cause of death among people who have undergone treatment for alcohol and/or other drug addictions, and remain the #1 preventable cause of death and illness in Massachusetts and in the US.

HH Commissioner Auerbach also spoke of both Bill Wilson and Doctor Bob, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. "Both Bill W. and Dr. Bob helped so many people to recover from alcohol and drugs," he said, "but they both died from smoking – Bill W. from emphysema, and Dr. Bob from lung cancer.

"We've learned a lot about smoking that we didn't know in Bill W.'s time," Mr. Auerbach said. "We know how dangerous and how addictive smoking is. But we also know. that those who get support and use medications like the patch are more than twice as likely to be able to quit for good as those who try to quit on their own"

Health officials announced last week that the statewide patch giveaway program conducted during July and August was very successful and resulted in nearly 10,000 residents calling to receive free patches.

For more information on the patch giveaway, call 1-800-Try-to-STOP, or go to www.Makesmokinghistory.org 

To request copies of the posters, flyers and wallet cards about the patch promotion, please call 1-866-586-3050 or e-mail info@causemedia.com. Printed materials can also be picked up at the following distribution sites:

Boston

STEP, Inc.
131 Beverly Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-720-0153

STEPRox
9 Palmer Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-849-2712

Greater Boston Center for Healthy Communities
622 Washington Street, 2nd floor
Dorchester, MA 02124-3548
Contact: Shari Sprong
617-423-4337

Northeastern MA

P.E.O.P.L.E. Recovery Center
11 South Union Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
978-688-5767

Northeast Center for Healthy Communities One Canal Street Lawrence, MA 08140
Contact: Jim Ryan
978-688-2323

Metrowest

Metrowest Regional Center for Healthy Communities
552 Massachusetts Avenue, Ste 203
Cambridge, MA 02139
Contact: Nicia Gordon
617-441-0700

Southeastern MA

Southeastern Recovery Engagement Center
42 Crescent Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-463-6123

Southeast Center for Healthy Communities
942 West Chestnut Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Contact: Debbie Sirois, M/W/Thur 1-4:30 508-583-2350 / 1-800-530-2770

Central MA

Central MA Center for Healthy Communities
44 Front Street, Suite 280
Worcester, MA 01608
Contact: Vicente Sanabria
508-438-0515

Western MA

RECOVER Project
68 Federal Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
413-774-5489

Western MA Center for Healthy Communities
489 Whitney Avenue, Suite 201
Holyoke, MA 01040
Contact: Miriam Jusino, Ext. 0
413-540-0600