Mission
The mission of the Addiction Medicine Advocacy Group (AMAG) is to reduce the disparities in health outcomes and access to care associated with substance use through education and advocacy. We will provide opportunities for Rush University students, staff, faculty, and community members to learn about harm reduction principles, community centered care, and practices that inform the development and growth of addiction medicine. Our mission is based on the understanding that substance use requires compassionate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care to prioritize the safety, autonomy, and dignity of people who use drugs. We recognize substance use as deeply intertwined with social determinants of health such as housing instability, incarceration, structural racism, healthcare access, and stigma.
The AMAG will carry out the objectives outlined in the mission statement by holding discussions on topics related to substance use and risk prone behavior, provide educational events to share information on addiction, and consolidate opportunities for service, political advocacy, and research. Through these events, we are committed to developing advocacy skills and an awareness of social responsibilities among future healthcare professionals regarding substance use and addiction medicine. For our members and our community, we will foster a non-judgmental, non-coercive approach to care that recognizes the complex social and economic factors influencing substance use.
Membership
Membership in the Addiction Medicine Advocacy Group is open to students of Rush University, Rush University faculty and staff, and members of the community with a commitment to this group’s mission. AMIG openly admits members and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, national origin, political status, or any other status.
Contact Information
Co President: Mark Gannon
Co President: Nicole Song
Advisor: Nicholas Chein, Assistant Professor Department of Emergency Medicine