Scorecard helps inform Voters Concerned about the Impact of Addiction

For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Donovan Kuehn
703-741-7686, ext. 125
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NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, has developed a scorecard that helps citizens assess the records of their lawmakers on the issue of addiction, in anticipation of the elections on November 7, 2006. The scorecard, which includes the votes of all members of congress, provides a universal and non-partisan guide for voters.

The scorecard includes congressional votes on nine addiction-related initiatives for members of the House of Representatives and two addiction-related votes in the U.S. Senate.

"The importance of having a non-partisan tool for U.S. voters cannot be underestimated," said Andrew Kessler, Director of Government Relations for NAADAC. "Millions of Americans suffer from addiction, a disease that does not discriminate when it comes to age, race, socio-economic status, profession or any other demographic indicator."

"These votes can determine whether a person with a chronic illness end up in treatment or in the criminal justice system," said Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP. "Addiction is a brain disease that happens at a neuro-chemical level, much like other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension and heart disease. Having legislators in Washington, DC who understand that will make a big difference in the lives of the 22 million people who struggle with their addiction."

To find out where your national legislator stands on the issues that impact on addiction, please visit capwiz.com/naadac or visit www.naadac.org and click on the box that reads "Take action now."