For Immediate Release - Washington, DC

Donovan Kuehn
703-741-7686, ext. 125
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The discussions between NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, the NAADAC National Certification Commission (NCC), the Society of Credentialed Addiction Professionals (SCAP) and the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) are nearing resolution in the coming months.

These deliberations, which first began in February 2005, focus on the possibility of greater collaboration between NAADAC/NCC and IC&RC/SCAP, strengthening the voice of addictions services professionals in America and abroad and streamlining the certification process. The discussions are supported in part by funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/ Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) and Partners for Recovery.

Throughout the process, great strides have been made, including the development of an organizational model that was presented to the membership meetings of both organizations. In September, NAADAC/NCC and IC&RC/SCAP began a "due diligence" process, which included both parties sharing, in confidence, their financial, legal and operational positions. Due to IC&RC/SCAP operational challenges, the due diligence process is incomplete and IC&RC/SCAP continues to collect necessary information and documents to finalize their position.

In December 2005, NAADAC/NCC sent a proposal to IC&RC/SCAP. IC&RC/SCAP's President, Jeff Wilbee, CAE, will present the offer letter at the IC&RC/SCAP meeting in April for consideration, as well as communicating these and any further developments as they arise.

"We are committed to moving these discussions forward to improve the addiction services profession, and also to respect the process we embarked on over a year ago," said NAADAC President Mary R. Woods, RNC, LADC, MSHS and IC&RC President, Jeff Wilbee, CAE. "Resolving this issue, and bringing clarity to the addiction profession, is one of our top priorities."

For full details on the merger discussion, please visit www.naadac.org or www.icrcaoda.org.