Association Seeks to Recognize Best Practices of Individuals, Organizations

For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Donovan Kuehn
703-741-7686, ext. 125
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, has opened the nomination process for its 2008 awards. Celebrating best practices for over 25 years, NAADAC's awards were established to identify and honor the outstanding work of addiction-focused professionals and organizations that treat addiction.

All award nominations must be received by NAADAC by April 30, 2008.

NAADAC has recognized the best practices of addiction professionals since 1979, when it established the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor of the Year Award (since re-named the Lora Roe Memorial Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor of the Year Award).

The first winners of the Lora Roe Award, the Counselors of the U.S. Navy alcoholism and drug abuse program, came to prominence after the U.S. Department of Defense revised its policies to encourage voluntary identification and enrollment of those with addictions into treatment programs.

The Navy's program was the first non-punitive military rehabilitation regimen developed with a focus on treatment. The program treated addiction as a disease and ensured that those who volunteered for treatment could only be discharged under honorable conditions. The Department of Defense's change in policy, and the quality work of the counselors of the U.S. Navy, are part of the foundation of the modern addiction services profession.

Over 80 other groups, individuals and organizations have been recognized for their excellence since 1979.

If you are familiar with a person or a program deserving accolades, please consider a nomination for one of NAADAC's six awards.

Nominations for the 2008 awards must be received by the NAADAC Awards Committee no later than April 30, 2008. To make a submission, or for additional information, please contact Donovan Kuehn, NAADAC Director of Operations and Outreach, at 800.548.0497, ext. 125, or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For full descriptions of NAADAC's awards, please look below or visit www.naadac.org and click on "Recognition & Awards".

NAADAC has six awards to recognize excellence in the addiction profession. They include:

Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year
Presented for outstanding and sustained contributions to the advancement of the addiction profession.

William F. "Bill" Callahan Award
Presented for sustained and meritorious service at the national level to the profession of addiction counseling.

Lora Roe Memorial Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor of the Year
Presented to a counselor who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession of addiction counseling.

NAADAC Organizational Achievement Award
Presented to organizations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the addiction profession and particularly strong support for the individual addiction professional.

Medical Professional of the Year
Presented to a medical professional who has made an outstanding contribution to the addiction profession.

Lifetime Honorary Membership Award
This award recognizes an individual or entity who has established outstanding service through a lifetime of consistent contributions to the advancement of the addiction profession and its professionals.