Every House, Even the White House

President Bill Clinton discusses how addiction has affected his family and close friends

Transcript

Welcome And Why Addiction Spreads

Annoucement 0:00

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, or OASAS, provides this podcast as a public service. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the agency or state.

Jerry Gretzinger 0:19

Welcome to Addiction: The Next Step. I'm your host, Jerry Gretzinger. You've heard us say many times that addiction does not discriminate. So what does that mean? Well, it means addiction can affect anyone, any family, from any walk of life. A friend or family member, a coworker, President. In May of 2026, there was a groundbreaking ceremony in Brooklyn for the expansion of a men's residential facility. And there were several speakers at the event. OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham. A young woman named Sarah who emerged from a life of substance use and is now in recovery and she's flourishing. But the final speaker was former president of the United States, Bill Clinton. I was at that event, and the president's remarks were moving, and something I felt could resonate with anyone about how the effects of substance use can reach anyone, anywhere, even the White House.

Clinton On Funding And Partisanship

Bill Clinton 1:28

And I would have come here just to hear Sarah speak and tell her story, and we could all go home because that's what this is about. Alison, thank you for giving your life to this. Dr. Cunningham, thank you for giving New York's money to this. One of my rules of politics is that whenever you hear somebody stand up and piously say, this is not a money problem. They're always talking about somebody else's problem. Never their own. And it was funded in the beginning primarily by the purple state of Georgia and the very blue state of California. And the Republicans in Georgia supported this because there's really not much of a partisan difference when humans' lives break.

A Loss That Sparked Action

Bill Clinton 2:59

I got into this because one of my close friends was an immigrant from India who came here without a penny to his name, found great success, and had three fine sons. One of whom looked like a movie star, had a wonderful brain, worked for me, worked for Hillary in the State Department, was getting a master's degree, as well as a law degree from George Washington University, went out with his girlfriend, drank a bottle of wine, and was given one of those pills to get a buzz. And he went to sleep and never woke up. And it happened to four more children of friends of mine. And it seemed to me that we were all sleepwalking through a problem that, yes, it had a political component. I was glad when the peddlers of OxyContin were held to some account. But the truth is

Orderly Care Over Pontificating

Bill Clinton 4:34

that people don't have to die. But people don't know that the simplest thing is an orderly, caring, loving response. I hear all the time, people in politics they want to stand up and pontificate. This is not a time for pontificating. This is a time for gratitude. We should thank the faith community. We should thank the people who are involved in this work. We should thank you, Sarah, for being willing to smile and laugh and tell the truth and not be ashamed. I love this. I was the youngest person doing whatever I was doing for half my life. And one day I woke up and I was the oldest man in every room. And for the life of me, I can't tell you how it happened. All I know is that the deputy world president said, I've met you four times. But the first time was when you were being inaugurated and I was playing saxophone in my school band. And I thought

A Brother’s Long Road To Recovery

Bill Clinton 6:05

if I could be a band boy again, I'd let you be president and take my chances. We're all laughing, but life happens to everybody. I have a brother I'm very proud of. Who was in rehab four times, was in prison 14 months, and was very near death after battling it for 50 years almost. And just when it seemed that all of our time had run out, he decided he wanted to live. And there were people there who wanted to help him stay alive. And he left California where he lived for 30 years, went home to Arkansas, manages guest houses, and makes organic soap and has a good life. And he can tell you to the day, this day, how many days he's been sober. And as far as I'm concerned, in many ways that's a bigger achievement than anything I ever did. So I'm just here to say thank you. Thank you for what you do here. Thank you for what you're about to do here. And at a time when a lot of our numbers don't feel so good and we're all obsessed with numbers.

Keep Going Until Needs Are Met

Bill Clinton 7:54

This is a battle we're winning. We are winning. And this is why we're winning. This and I just want to encourage all of you to keep going. As long as there's one person with an unmet need, keep going. As long as there's one person still dying, unnecessarily, keep going. You know, I spend a lot of time going to funerals now. And a lot of my funerals were famous people. Jesse Jackson and I had a long, fascinating friendship when I spoke at his funeral. I was glad to speak at Hank Aaron's funeral, Willie Mays's funeral, because I was sports on it. And because they were wonderful men. But every time somebody younger than me dies, I see it as a tragedy. So all the rest of you should pat yourselves on the back today. Keep giving, keep going. And remember, everybody counts and deserves a chance. I love this. I had a Muslim friend of mine in the Middle East ask me once why I was still a Christian. I said, because I believe in a God of second chances. And I have needed alone. So this is a place of second chances. God bless you and God speed.

Everybody Counts And The Hope Line

Jerry Gretzinger 9:50

President Clinton was always a good speaker and he still knows how to get a message across. But if you take only one thing with you from his remarks, take this. Everybody counts and deserves a chance. That event he was speaking at was for Anchor House in Brooklyn. If you'd like to know more, we've shared some additional details and pictures on our social media pages. And if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call the New York State HOPEline at 877-8-HOPE NY. It's free and confidential and available 24/ 7. You can also visit our website, oasas.ny.gov.