The National Public Policy Conference on Alcohol and Other Drugs

February 4^th – 6^th , 2001, A Success

NAADAC Association for Addiction Professionals - Awards

Legislative Advocate of the Year- Our Own — John Avery, CASPAR

Legislative Advocate of The Year - Martha Alexander, North Carolina

Legislator of The Year - Representative Marge Roukema, New Jersey

Guest Speakers

Emphasizing The Significance Role of Funding for Researched Based Treatment

Former ONDCP Director General McCaffrey emphasized, in a more candid style, the significant role of addiction treatment. NIDA Director Alan Leschner demonstrated on screen, the no waste of time harm of drugs, specifically, ECSTASY does to the brain. NIAAA Director Enoch Gordis emphasized how research builds the scientific technology required to treat alcoholism. CSAT Director Westley Clark reviewed the role of CSAT demonstration and block grants to assist the country in developing researched based treatment that effect outcome. Thus, national advocacy for research, treatment, and prevention funding was clearly brought to Capitol Hill

Panelists

Walking the Hill Panelists from Oklahoma and Texas- with 40 Recovering Adolescents gave the How to Work the Bill Drill — Be yourself, Be respectful, Be to the point. Be knowledgeable of this fact- A meeting with a legislative assistant versus the legislator is just fine! Legislative assistants are very well researched and carry the message to legislators- Write thank you letters! and maintain the communication. — keep writing and keep calling- alert others! Your voice will be heard.

CSAT Recovery Community Support Project Panel-

A National Recovery Movement Commences

Rick Sampson, Center of Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT ) State and Community Assistance shared history of this three year project to give a face and voice to addiction recovery. New England, Virgina, and Pennsylvania CSAT Project representatives presented highlights of celebrations, public education, and the beginnings of a national recovery movement.

MAADAC Members Walked the Hill

John Avery, Fred French, and Maryanne Frangules asked The Congressmen to support.

H162 (Rep Marge Roukema) - Parity for Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Treatment -

To enact legislation which requires parity between drug and alcohol addiction and physical illnesses by setting the same aggregate limits on lifetime and annual dollar caps on coverage. This bill, also, includes parity for mental health. We cannot allow alcohol and drug treatment services to be cut out of this bill. MA Congressmen Barney Frank. John Tierney, Michael Capuano, and James McGovern have signed on!

Adolescent Treatment

Increase federal health allocations, enhance public insurance programs, assess and improve teen treatment access, and support research to enhance adolescent treatment.

Budget and Appropriations

Maintain treatment and prevention as priorities in the 2002 Fiscal Year Budget

Charitable Choice

While believing that every secular and faith based organization has the right to apply for funding - quality care standards must be in place.

National Drug Control Policy

Prioritize more funding for this country’s addiction treatment services versus more military interdiction in countries, such as Colombia.

Please Ask Your United States Congressmen for Support.

Senators Kennedy and Kerry can be mailed correspondence to

The United States Senate, Washington DC 20510.

Representatives can be mailed correspondence to:

The United States House of Representatives, Washington DC 20500

You can schedule an appointment locally —numbers are in the phone book!

A Big Thank You to Our Massachusetts Financial Sponsors!

Modern Assistance Program donated $500. AdCare Hospital, CASPAR, Faulkner

Addiction Recovery Program, Highpoint, and Middlesex Human Services Agencies

made individual contributions of $100 towards the Recovery Community

Support Project Discussion Panel. Thank you again!

Political Action Committee Event.

John Avery, PAC Chair introduced Keith Stiles, MA Congressman James McGovern’s Legislative Director. Keith put forth the Congressman’s support of enhanced alcohol and other drug treatment initiatives. He, also, alerted another message — the effects of a huge tax cut. A major tax cut will inevitably cut human services — like treatment funding-so what is a short term “feel good”- could be an inevitable “feel bad”!

John shared the necessity to honor legislative candidates, who support our cause with financial contributions. A little can go a long way. So please alert your supports and concerns to Congress.

Sincerely yours.

Maryanne Frangules, MAADAC President, 617-298-1262