VIDEO – HE’S CLEAN FOR A CAUSE –
Mar. 18, 2022 – South by Southwest (SXSW) is tackling the growing problem of addiction in America. 275 people die every day in the U.S. from a drug overdose. It’s why Austin entrepreneur, Wes Hurt, is working to be create solutions that can save lives.
“I got a DWI seven years ago and I was actually like a block from here,” said Hurt during an interview with CBS Austin at the Austin Convention Center.
Hurt is sharing his story of addiction recovery at South by Southwest. The founder of Sparkling Yerba Mate CLEAN Cause says it’s surreal to be on the SXSW stage considering his last experience at the Austin festival. Information being shared at SXSW is that the United States recorded 93,000 overdose deaths in 2020. That’s a 25% jump from 2019 and the problem is only growing because of the isolation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m a founder of CLEAN Cause. I’m in recovery and I’m doing great and it was difficult for me,” said Hurt. “To me the biggest issue of that was lack of connection. It just took some people out.”
To help, Hurt and is launching a nonprofit foundation to give people inspiration and information. Since recovery requires community, he says he wants to lead by example and be part of the solution. “To me, it’s about focusing on what is to come not what is behind. That is the bounce-back, focus on going again,” said Hurt.
