[Archived] D.C. United’s Santino Quaranta Speaks on Overcoming Addiction

Event held in Recognition of National Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Month 

September 21, 2009 

News Highlights

• Julie Carey of NBC News 4 will interview soccer player Santino Quaranta about his recovery from drug addiction and his return to major league soccer.
• National Recovery Month aims to reduce stigma, celebrate people in recovery, promote awareness that substance abuse is a national health crisis, and spread the message that recovery is possible.
• The September 28 event, held at T.C. Williams High School, is free to the public.

More Information

• Event flyer in English and Spanish
• Santino Quaranta Bounces Back from Addiction 
• National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month 

In recognition of September, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, the Alexandria Community Services Board will present Santino Quaranta, the D.C. United midfielder-forward who was forced to interrupt his soccer career in 2007 after admitting to drug addiction, but is now in recovery and has revived his career. 

Julie Carey of NBC News4 will interview “Tino” at a community event on Monday, September 28 at 7:15 p.m. in the T. C. Williams High School auditorium, 3330 King St. The interview will be followed by a public question and answer session and autographs. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The event is free, and 1.5 continuing education units are available for health care providers. 

Quaranta’s story provides a lesson in the power of recovery. After admitting to substance abuse and experiencing a much-publicized fall from grace, the Baltimore native found himself out of Major League Soccer at the end of 2007. In 2008, following time in rehabilitation, he asked D.C. United for a second chance. After an honest admission of his past drug addiction, and humbling apologies to United's fervent supporters for his past indiscretions, Quaranta went on to have the best season of his career.

This event is sponsored by the Alexandria Community Services Board, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria, Alexandria’s Mental Health Hope Campaign, Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria, and Friends of the Alexandria Mental Health Center.

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For more information, contact Tricia Bassing at 703.746.3473, or trica.bassing@alexandriava.gov