Service Description. The Partnership offers Peer Support Services in two ways: 1) one-to-one interaction or 2) group support. All Peer Support is provided by trained volunteer Peer Coaches and Peer Facilitators. Peer Coaches and Peer Facilitators are trained by the Partnership to End Addiction, however, they serve in a volunteer capacity.
If a user is referred to a Peer Coach for one-to-one support, the user will interact with the Peer Coach through either a live phone call(s) or text(s). In all instances, the user will interact with a live person responding in real time. Referrals to a one-to-one Peer Coach results from the user’s interaction(s) with a helpline specialist who may choose to recommend a Peer Coach. In order to connect with a Peer Coach to discuss a referral, the user can text PEER to 55753, schedule a call at https://scheduler.drugfree.org/ or email https://drugfree.org/email-a-helpline-specialist/. In all instances, a helpline specialist will determine whether one-to-one Peer Coaching is appropriate for the user.
Our Online Support Communities are virtual meetings of groups of users convening to share information and support one another and are facilitated by our Peer Facilitators. Users can join an Online Support Community group directly via https://drugfree.org/supportmeetings/.
Please be aware that however you, the user, utilizes our Peer Support Services, whether by phone, text messaging or via participation in a video conferencing Online Support Community meeting, the Support Services are subject to the following terms and conditions of use (the “Terms of Use”). If you do not agree to these Terms of Use, you are advised not to use the Peer Support Service.
The Use of Text Messaging for Peer Support
1. Cancellation. You may advise our Peer Coach at any time that you no longer wish to receive services by text or phone call.
2. Reliability of Service. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
3. Data Rates. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.
4. Agreement To Be Bound; Changes to the Terms of Use. Your use of the Peer Support Service via text, or by messaging with us through a third-party partner, constitutes your agreement with Partnership to End Addiction to be bound by, and to act in accordance with, these Terms of Use. Partnership to End Addiction reserves the right to modify these Terms of Use or to impose new or additional terms of use at any time and without prior notice (“Modified Terms”). Modified Terms shall be effective immediately and incorporated into these Terms of Use upon the posting of such Modified Terms. Your continued use following the posting of any Modified Terms shall be deemed to conclusively indicate your acceptance of any and all such Modified Terms. Accordingly, you should periodically re-review these Terms.
5. Interactive Messaging. Messages that you send through text service and/or a third-party partner, can be viewed and be responded to by the Partnership to End Addiction, but the Partnership cannot control, and is not responsible for, the content of your messages, or any information you include in those messages, whether posted by you or through someone accessing your account in an unauthorized manner. You further understand that any message transmitted by you or in any of your accounts does not express the views of Partnership to End Addiction. Although Partnership to End Addiction has the right to view any discussions, chats, comments sent via this service, Partnership to End Addiction is under no obligation to do so and assumes no responsibility or liability arising from the content you share with the Peer Support coach nor for any error, defamation, libel, slander, omission, falsehood, obscenity, pornography, profanity, danger or inaccuracy contained in any information transmitted to us within a text.
6. Right to Screen, Review, Remove and Refuse Content. In furtherance of the preceding paragraph, Partnership to End Addiction has the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion, to pre-screen, review, remove content or refuse any user, from Peer Support texting or phone service for any reason, including without limitation content sent by you that violates these Terms of Use or is otherwise objectionable or offensive. If you find any content that violates these Terms of Use, please contact us immediately by email at contact@toendaddiction.org.
7. License to Posted Content. By providing any content to the Partnership via text messaging or emailing through a third-party partner, you hereby (i) grant the Partnership a non-exclusive, perpetual, fully paid-up, irrevocable license to use any anonymized data or content provided, and (ii) represent, warrant and covenant to Partnership to End Addiction that you possess and will maintain all rights necessary to grant Partnership to End Addiction the foregoing license. For example, the foregoing license gives Partnership to End Addiction the right, so long as consistent with our Privacy Policy, to use questions, comments and postings submitted by you (and any ideas, concepts, know-how, processes and techniques contained therein), provided such questions, comments and postings remain anonymous, in articles, commentaries, research or other materials both online and offline (or for any other purposes), for review for quality assurance and product improvement, and no compensation shall be earned, due or payable for any such use.
8. Security and Limitations on Access. You are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of the Peer Support Service. Accordingly, you agree that you will not interfere with or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the texting service. You agree that you will not take any action that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on the Partnership’s information technology infrastructure.
The following Additional Terms to the Peer Support Live Phone Call:
9. Quality Assurance and Training. Phone calls between a user and a Peer Coach are recorded, and retained in accordance with record retention policies, for quality assurance and training purposes. All callers are advised of the recording at the outset of the call and given an opportunity to terminate the call if they do not wish to be recorded. The Partnership may seek to obtain from any caller only that amount of information that would allow the Partnership to best assist you and shall endeavor to keep all calls anonymous to the greatest extent possible, particularly if requested. The provision of personally identifiable information is always optional on the part of the user.
The following Additional Terms apply to participation in Online Support Groups:
10. Restrictions on Recording and Disclosure. Online Support Communities are conducted virtually; the platform for access will be through a third party. Several third-party virtual meeting rooms allow for recording and AI notetakers. Confidentiality of participants in the online support group is of utmost importance and therefore Users who participate in an Online Support Community are prohibited from recording the meeting or using an AI notetaker. Users should be advised however, that they are participating and sharing information in a group setting, and as such the user understands, acknowledges and accepts that the Partnership makes no representations or warranties as to the other parties participating in the group meeting.
Terms Applicable to All Peer Support Services:
11. Confidentiality. The Partnership to End Addiction will keep your personal information confidential to the best of its ability as set forth in our Privacy Policy and as permitted by law. While the Partnership to End Addiction can never guarantee full protection against unauthorized access to your data or your account, we make every effort to guard your information using state-of-the-art technology provided by our third-party vendors. In the instance of any text messaging service or the use of messaging or virtual meeting services through third-party vendors, the rules and regulations of your carrier or the third-party partner are also applicable to anything you transmit to Partnership to End Addiction.
12. Reliance. You and your family may not rely solely upon the information or opinions communicated by Partnership to End Addiction, the volunteer Peer Coaches or Peer Facilitators, including, without limitation, other attendees in an Online Support Group. Information provided does not, and cannot, replace necessary medical consultations with qualified health or medical professionals with the training to meet the individual health or medical needs of you and your family.
13. Indemnification. You agree to be solely responsible for, and to indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, its directors, officers, principals, managers, agents, representatives and employees and their respective directors, officers, principals, managers, agents, representatives and employees from, any liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses arising out of or in connection with (i) any breach of these Terms of Use by you or (ii) any information or guidance you have received from the Peer Support Services regardless of whether the information was received via text, by phone, or via video conferencing, and regardless of the legal theory on which such a claim is based.
14. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. ALL CONTENT INCLUDED IN OR AVAILABLE VIA THE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES ARE “AS IS.” SUCH CONTENT IS PROVIDED WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NONINFRINGEMENT. PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, PRINCIPALS, MANAGERS, AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PRINCIPALS, MANAGERS, AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTIES THAT: (i) THE CONTENT IS ACCURATE, RELIABLE OR CORRECT; (ii) THE SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME OR LOCATION; (iii) ANY DEFECTS OR ERRORS WILL BE CORRECTED; OR (iv) THE SERVICE OR ITS SERVERS ARE OR WILL BE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. YOUR USE OF THE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES ARE SOLELY AT YOUR RISK. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT PERMIT THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SOME OR ALL OF THESE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, MANAGERS, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, MANAGERS, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES WHETHER THE ALLEGED LIABILITY IS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER BASIS, EVEN IF PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION’S, ITS DIRECTORS,’ OFFICERS,’ PRINCIPALS,’ EMPLOYEES,’ MANAGERS,’ AGENTS’ AND REPRESENTATIVES’ AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS,’ DIRECTORS,’ PRINCIPALS,’ EMPLOYEES,’ MANAGERS,’ AGENTS’ AND REPRESENTATIVES’ LIABILITY IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
16. Compliance with Laws. The Partnership to End Addiction’s commitment to confidentiality and anonymity does not negate its obligation to operate its Peer Support Services in full compliance with the law. In the event information obtained from you by way of the Helpline Service, whether by text or by phone, gives a reasonable indication that a law has or is about to be violated, Partnership to End Addiction will follow all applicable laws regarding the information.
17. Partnership to End Addiction’s Copyright Policy. If you are a copyright owner or an agent thereof and believe that any content posted by text messaging or email service of any third-party partner, infringes upon your copyright rights, you may submit a notification pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) by following the procedures described below. As part of our response, we may remove or disable access to content distributed that is claimed to be infringing, in which case we will make a good-faith attempt to contact the person who submitted the affected content so that they may make a counter-notification, also in accordance with the DMCA. Before serving either a notice of infringing material or a counter-notification, you may wish to contact a lawyer to better understand your rights and obligations under the DMCA and other applicable laws. The following notice requirements are intended to comply with our obligations under the DMCA and do not constitute legal advice.
Notice of Infringing Material
To file a notice of infringement, please provide a notification containing the following details:
• (i) Reasonably sufficient details to enable us to identify the work claimed to be infringed or, if multiple works are claimed to be infringed, a representative list of such works (e.g., title, author, URL);
• (ii) Reasonably sufficient detail to enable us to identify and locate the material that is claimed to be infringing (e.g., a link to the page that contains the material);
• (iii) Your contact information so that we can contact you (e.g., your address, telephone number, email address);
• (iv) A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use of the material identified in (i) above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
• (v) A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the exclusive right that is alleged to be infringed; and
• (vi) Your physical or electronic signature.
You must send this notice by mail, fax, or email to:
Emily Feinstein
Executive Vice President
Partnership to End Addiction
711 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Tel.: (212) 841.5200
Fax: (212) 956.8020
Email: contact@toendaddiction.org
Counter-Notification
If material that you have posted has been taken down, you may file a counter-notification that
contains the following details:
• (i) Identification of the material that has been removed or to which access has been disabled and the location at which the material appeared before it was removed or disabled;
• (ii) A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you have a good faith belief that the material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification of the material in question;
• (iii) Your contact information so that we can contact you (e.g., your address, telephone number, email address);
• (iv) A statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the judicial district in which your address is located, or, if your address is outside of the U.S.A., for any judicial district in which we may be found, and that you will accept service of process from the person who submitted a notice in compliance with the DMCA as generally described above; and
• (v) Your physical or electronic signature.
You must send this notice by mail, fax, or email to:
Emily Feinstein
Executive Vice President
Partnership to End Addiction
711 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017-6706
Tel.: (212) 841.5200
Fax: (212) 956.8020
Email: contact@toendaddiction.org
18. Choice of Law and Forum; Statute of Limitations. You agree that these Terms of Use and your use of the Peer Support Services shall be governed by the laws in effect in the State of New York, without reference to its conflict of laws principles. Any claim or dispute between you and Partnership to End Addiction that arises in whole or in part from your use of Peer Support Services shall be decided exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction located in New York County, New York.
YOU AND PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION AGREE THAT ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OF USE AND/OR YOUR USE OF THE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES. OTHERWISE, YOU AND PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION AGREE THAT SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE, AND IS, PERMANENTLY BARRED.
19. Waiver. No waiver of any term or condition of these Terms of Use shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term of the Terms of Use, and Partnership to End Addiction’s failure to assert any right or provision of these Terms of Use shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
20. Severability and Integration. Unless otherwise specified herein, these Terms of Use constitute the entire agreement between you and Partnership to End Addiction with respect to your use of the Peer Support Services and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals (whether oral, written, or electronic) between you and Partnership to End Addiction with respect to your use of the Peer Support Services. If any part of these Terms of Use is held invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be construed in a manner consistent with applicable law to reflect, as nearly as possible, the original intentions of the parties, and the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
21. Termination. Your right to use the Peer Support Services automatically terminates if you violate these Terms of Use. Partnership to End Addiction also reserves the right, in its sole discretion and at any time, to terminate these Terms of Use and your access to all or part of the Peer Support Services, for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice. Upon termination of these Terms of Use, you must cease use of the Peer Support Services and destroy all materials obtained from it, whether made under these Terms of Use or otherwise.
22. Ability to Enter Into This Agreement; Use by Children Under the Age of 13. You affirm that you are not a minor in your state of residence and that you have the legal right to enter into, and be bound by, these Terms of Use. The Peer Support Services are not intended for children under 13 and Partnership to End Addiction does not collect personally identifiable information about children under 13 through the Peer Support Services unless it is voluntary and/or necessary and is provided by the minor’s parent or guardian.
23. Assignment. These Terms of Use, and any rights and/or licenses granted hereunder, may not be transferred, or assigned by you, but may be assigned, licensed, or transferred by Partnership to End Addiction without restriction or notice to you.
24. Privacy Policy. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy: https://drugfree.org/article/privacy-policy/.