Prince’s death at age 57 following a suspected Percocet overdose has brought the problem of prescription drug addiction to the forefront of cultural discussions.
On Saturday, Macklemore joined President Barack Obama in his weekly web address to discuss opioid addiction.
“I have used prescription drugs and I’ve battled addiction,” the rapper said, who has been open about his abuse that resulted in a 2008 rehab stint and 2014 relapse, according to the Washington Post. “If I hadn’t gotten the help that I needed when I needed it, I definitely wouldn’t be here today.”
In the video, Obama discusses how his administration is working with various communities to “reduce overdose deaths, including with medication.” He claimed that deaths from opioid overdoses have tripled since 2000 and that they often times stem from drugs prescribed by doctors.
Obama is asking Congress to pass $1.1 billion in new funding to fight against opioid addiction and give people the adequate resources for recovery.
“I know recovery isn’t easy or quick, but along with the 12-step program, treatment has saved my life,” Macklemore added. “And recovery works. But we need our government in Washington to fund it and people to know how to find it.”
Macklemore is putting together a documentary about opioid addiction, which will air this summer on MTV.