Shatterproof teams up with San Francisco Giants to fight addiction to alcohol and other drugs

San Francisco - The Giants will host a special home plate ceremony before tonight's game to support Shatterproof, a new national organization dedicated to fighting addiction to alcohol and other drugs. The ceremony will feature Gary Mendell, founder of Shatterproof, as well as his family and local San Francisco-area families who have loved ones who have battled the disease of addiction. In addition, Shatterproof will premiere the organization's first public service announcement aimed at educating parents about teen alcohol and drug use.

This event with the San Francisco Giants marks the public launch of the organization, and is the first of many public outreach initiatives aiming to reach parents and families across the country. Shatterproof is developing resources and programs that will raise awareness of addiction, erase the stigma around the disease and address the three major areas of prevention, treatment and recovery.

"Shatterproof is building a national movement to prevent, treat and ultimately end addiction," said Gary Mendell, founder of Shatterproof. "For us, partnering with the San Francisco Giants is an exciting step towards advancing our goal of raising awareness of addiction and working together to protect our nation's children from this devastating disease."

In addition to premiering their PSA during the pre-game home plate ceremony, Shatterproof will be featured during the game and will staff the Giants' Community Clubhouse to provide materials about the organization and addiction.

"Every day more than 4,000 children try an illicit drug for the first time - that is more than 1.5 million children each year. And, two million of our young people between the ages of 12 and 17 need treatment for a substance abuse problem, but only 7.5 percent get the help they need," said Mendell. "The urgency is real - our children's lives are at risk - and Shatterproof is dedicated to pushing back against these alarming trends."

The PSA and information about Shatterproof are available on the organization's website at www.WeAreShatterproof.org.

About Shatterproof

Shatterproof is the first national organization focused on accelerating evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery programs for addiction. This bold new organization equips parents, healthcare providers, educators and legislators with essential tools to shatterproof our nation's youth. Shatterproof will also work to protect, strengthen and empower the more than 22 million people struggling with the disease of addiction, proving that we are stronger than addiction. For more information, visit www.WeAreShatterproof.org.