Symbolizing the disease of addiction: making the case for a pin, ribbon, or wristband to represent the disease of addiction.(PERSPECTIVES)

Aquick Internet search shows that almost every disease has an awareness campaign that involves ribbons, wristbands, or pins, such as the red ribbon to draw attention to AIDS or the yellow Lance Armstrong wristband drawing attention to cancer. These symbols are identifying objects for their causes/diseases. One Web site suggests that there are 16 wristbands for different forms of cancer and cancer research. These items have raised awareness of their related diseases and funds for ongoing research.

Yet where is the ribbon, pin, or wristband representing the disease of addiction? Where are the symbols that call attention to a vastly misunderstood disease subject to …