Cleveland, OH – June 25, 2025 – Dr. Robert Moore, Ed.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Against Addiction (CAAA), is calling on community leaders, healthcare providers, and the public to support addiction recovery systems that prioritise equity, empathy, and sustainable infrastructure.
“Addiction doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” Dr. Moore said. “It’s often tied to trauma, grief, or exclusion. If we’re not addressing those issues, we’re not really treating the whole person.”
The call comes on the heels of growing national concern around the mental health and substance use crisis. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over 46 million Americans aged 12 or older met the criteria for substance use disorder in 2022. Yet less than half received treatment.
“We’re facing a treatment gap that’s not just about access,” Moore explains. “It’s about whether people feel seen, safe, and supported in the systems designed to help them.”
A Proven Leader in Organizational and Patient-Level Change
Under Dr. Moore’s leadership, CAAA now serves over 400 clients through Medication Assisted Treatment, mental health support, and wraparound services. But he’s quick to point out that scale alone isn’t success.
“You can serve 400 people and still miss the mark,” he says. “The goal is sustainable recovery, not just numbers. That takes infrastructure and intention.”
Moore, who holds dual doctorates in Administrator Leadership and Performance Psychology, has made a career of transforming complex systems into people-first environments. Before CAAA, he held roles including Superintendent, Operational Officer, and Adjunct Professor. He brings those leadership tools into a healthcare setting where operations and compassion must go hand in hand.
What Needs to Change?
Moore believes that three key changes are critical to improving addiction care:
Equity must be built into intake, treatment, and leadership practices
Organizations must plan for sustainability, not just survival
Mental health, grief, and cultural context must be part of every care plan
“We need to redesign the system from the inside out,” Moore says. “That includes who’s hired, how we train staff, how we track progress, and how we listen to our clients.”
According to a 2023 report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Black and Hispanic Americans are less likely to receive medication-assisted treatment, even when controlling for income and insurance. Dr. Moore says that kind of disparity can’t be solved by programs alone—it has to be addressed at every level of the system.
“Equity isn’t a checkbox,” he adds. “It’s a daily decision.”
A Call to Action: What Communities and Individuals Can Do Now
While large-scale reforms take time, Moore encourages individuals and communities to take steps that drive meaningful change:
Ask treatment centres how they train staff on equity and trauma-informed care
Support programs that include grief counselling, job assistance, and long-term recovery planning
Volunteer time or donate resources to organizations working with underserved communities
Vote for policies that expand access to mental health and substance use services
Speak openly about addiction and mental health to reduce stigma and encourage treatment
“Change doesn’t just come from top-down leadership,” Moore says. “It also comes from everyday choices—how we talk, how we listen, and what we support.”
Leading with Purpose, Backed by Data and Heart
Moore has received numerous accolades, including the Richard A. Pogue Fellowship from Case Western Reserve University and the title of Distinguished American. But for him, recognition is secondary.
“The reward is watching someone rebuild their life,” he says. “And knowing we gave them a system that helped instead of hurt.”
About Dr. Robert Moore:
Dr. Robert Moore, Ed.D., Ph.D., is the CEO of Community Action Against Addiction, a leading MAT program serving more than 400 clients in Ohio. A Mississippi native and lifelong advocate for social change, he holds multiple advanced degrees in leadership, counselling, and psychology. Moore is also a certified Community Coach and Professional Life Coach, committed to transforming systems to be more human, inclusive, and sustainable.
Media Contact:
Office of Communications – Community Action Against Addiction
Email: [email protected]
Read the interview here.
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