Music Festival Hopes to Bring Hope to Epidemic
By CALVIN CHEONG ‘20
Addiction. Be it to junk food, video games, or silly puns, addiction is rarely described as anything but harmful. The tendency of the victim to be completely oblivious to their addiction makes the ailment so dangerous. And, in the case of opioids, of which the risks of the aforementioned addictions pale in comparison, the drug’s pain-nullifying properties increases the danger tenfold. Indeed, according to National Institute on Drug Abuse, “roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.” This problem is serious, and it could be getting worse. Consider this: according to The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of overdose deaths in 2016 involving opioids was five times higher than it was in 1999. It’s sad to imagine what the number may be in a few years.
But never fear, Recovery Fest 2018 is here.
Presented by the Above the Noise Foundation, an organization whose very vision is to combat the addiction epidemic through helping victims, Recovery Fest is a nationally recognized sober music festival where supportive performers can spread awareness of the epidemic. Through these concerts, Above the Noise seeks to eliminate stigma, judgment, and isolation regarding the victims of addiction, not only through a series of inspirational talks, but also through, more importantly, the “universal language of music.”
Music has been a part of human culture for millennia and exists today as a medium for connection, enjoyment, and emotion. Think for a moment how your favorite song makes you feel and how you simply want others to experience the same euphoria. Music is an expression of self, be it for the listener or the artist, an expression that can be captured in a catchy beat or in soulful lyrics. Each genre, distinguishable from the next, has a multitude of fans and critics, and practitioners of music have a certain power to influence others through the art of music. Recovery Fest 2018 seeks to harness this power to bridge the gap between victims of addiction and their communities, as well as raise funds to provide for the U.S. cities most affected by the crisis.
You might be thinking at this point, “Well, the cause is admirable, I guess. But a concert should still be enjoyable, so who’s performing?” Recovery Fest will be headlined by the acclaimed rapper Macklemore, who emphasizes that the festival will be “a great safe space for the community to come together and celebrate recovery.” If that weren’t enough, Blues legend James Montgomery, a contest-winning Indie Band, and others will also be performing at the concert.
On September 29th, 2018, in McCoy Stadium in Rhode Island, a crowd of people will gather to support and preserve the dignity of their fellow human beings who simply went astray in a moment of vulnerability. United in such a noble cause by music and positive vibes, Above the Noise and the allies of Recovery Fest will make a wave in the battle against addiction. Hopefully, this is a step towards helping people reconcile with their friends, their families, and themselves.