UN Goodwill Ambassador

Chris is visiting New Zealand as the first UN Goodwill Ambassador on Drug Dependence, Treatment and Care.

Chris will be speaking at 2 public events. He will also meet with politcians and key people in the alcohol and drug treatment sector, and will conduct a handful of media interviews.

Public events

• Wednesday 22 February, Wellington, Parliamentary breakfast (RSVPs have now closed on this event)
• Friday 24 February, Febfast fundraising gala dinner, Auckland Museum

About Chris

Christopher Kennedy Lawford spent 20 years in the film and television industries as an actor, lawyer, executive and producer. He is the author of two New York Times bestselling books, Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption (2005) and Moments of Clarity (2009). He has also published Healing Hepatitis C (2009) and his newest work, Kick Any Habit: Tips from 100 of the World’s Top Experts, is forthcoming.

In recovery for more than 25 years from drug addiction, Mr. Lawford campaigns tirelessly on behalf of the recovery community in both the public and private sectors. He presently works with the United Nations, the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse, the White House Office on Drug Control Policy and the World Health Organization. He also consults with Fortune 500 companies and numerous non-profit groups, speaking around the world on issues related to addiction, mental health and Hepatitis C.

In 2009, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Mr. Lawford to the California Public Health Advisory Committee. In 2011, Mr. Lawford was named Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime to promote activities supporting drug treatment, care and recovery. He also serves as National Advocacy Consultant for Caron Treatment Centers.

Mr. Lawford holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and a Masters Certification in Clinical Psychology from Harvard Medical School where he held an academic appointment as a Lecturer in Psychiatry.

Media

Please direct media enquiries to Jackson Wood:

jackson.wood@drugfoundation.org.nz
04 802 6363