Michigan leaders speak during Unite to Face Addiction rally at Capitol
Attendees lay flowers at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols
Addiction is a disease that impacts all Michiganders, from the Capitol to local communities, State Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe) told a large crowd outside the State Capitol Building Wednesday during the annual Unite to Face Addiction rally.
Bellino has been vocal about his struggles with addiction prior to his time in the Legislature, telling attendees there is a lot of shame in addiction and making mistakes because addiction, but there is pride in recovery.
'This is my favorite day of the year, when addicts outnumber assholes in Lansing,' Bellino said.
In Bellino's first year as a lawmaker, he told the crowd that he befriended another legislator, a Democrat, and the pair would go to recovery meetings together, staying sober together. But the other state representative ultimately lost their fight with addiction, killing themselves in 2017.
About 17% of Americans aged 12 or older have experienced a substance abuse disorder, according to the 2023 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS, reported in 2024 that through efforts to provide harm reduction resources and recovery opportunities, Michigan's overdose death rate declined five times faster than the national average.
Attendees listened to live music, laid flowers on the Capitol steps in honor of those who have experienced addiction and heard speakers advocate for hope in recovery.
The fight against addiction is a statewide fight, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, a Democratic candidate for governor, told the crowd and there needs to be belief in recovery, that generations of addiction can be broken if communities work together.
That's the soul of the IGNITE program in the Flint area, Swanson said. IGNITE, which stands for Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education is a program in correctional facilities across the country that Swanson created to offer educational opportunities to those who've interacted with the justice system to have opportunities in the workforce. This week, Genesee County saw its 100th GED earned through the program since it launched in 2020.
'Keep fighting, fighting for the people, giving hope to people, believing in people, that's what's going to free people… not one person… on this stage, not one person on this lawn has not been touched by the disease of addiction and you are the one that needs to stand in the gap. So if you do your part, I do my part. We do our part, we will save lives every single day,' Swanson said.
Sobriety is an everyday commitment for many who've experienced addiction and not enough attention is paid to the level of grit and hope that's required to take on the challenge of overcoming addiction, Chris Nixon, an addiction medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health told the crowd.
Reflecting the journey of his wife, who has been clean from opioid addiction for eight years and the loss of his father and brother to addiction, Nixon said there is honor in fighting against addiction.
Relapse is not defeat in addiction, Nixon said, perfection is not required, only a willingness to reset and start again. At a gathering of addicts and supporters like the Unite to Face Addiction rally, Nixon said there's likely attendees that have relapsed within the last 48 hours, but their decision to attend a rally where several recovery organizations are offering contact info and advocates are ready to support is a testament to their commitment to strive towards sobriety again.
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Attendees lay flowers at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols
Chris Nixon, director of addiction medicine at Henry Ford Health Maplegrove Center speaks at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols
Genesee County Chris Swanson (right) speaks at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols
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