Statement on the Passing of Dr. Mitch Rosenthal

In a statement released today, the Rosenthal Center for Addiction Studies shared that their founder and president, Dr. Mitchell “Mitch” Rosenthal, passed away peacefully on November 14. Dr. Rosenthal was a pioneer in the treatment of substance use disorders, having founded Phoenix House, the nation’s leading non-profit provider of treatment and recovery services. He also served as the chair of the New York State Advisory Council on Substance Abuse. His accomplishments are numerous, and his impact on the substance abuse field is vast. It is safe to say the world of substance use treatment would not be the same without Dr. Rosenthal. 

Dr. Rosenthal was instrumental in the founding of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions this year. 

“Mitch was one of a kind. His youthful exuberance and excitement were contagious. His knowledge was second to none. Most of all, his desire to help people sustained his soul for more than sixty years in the field he founded. The world will not be the same without Mitch Rosenthal,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, the President and CEO of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions. “We at the Foundation will preserve his legacy and work everyday to improve access to treatment. His spirit will guide us as we move toward a world with less suffering and loss. Mitch would want no less.”

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