Bolstad, Cosgriff and Hamilton Among Those Receiving Recognition

 For Immediate Release

Donovan Kuehn
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A pioneer in developing Massachusetts’ recovery high schools, an advocate who works with the young and disenfranchised and a major league baseball player who has re-shaped a tradition of the game are among those being honored at the NAADAC annual conference.

See Josh Hamilton's message to NAADAC.

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, 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 in treatment programs. This simple change helped ensure that thousands of people in need of treatment were able to receive help.

In a profession that has many powerful contributors, this year’s winners stand out for their accomplishments.

Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year
The Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year award was created in November 1979 and is named after the first President of NAADAC. The award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to the advancement of the addiction counseling profession.

 William J. Cosgriff, PhD, spent most of his professional career working for the Springfield Public Schools as a teacher, counselor/social worker, psychologist and administrator. He initiated the first Student Assistance Program in Massachusetts in 1980 and later was the driving force behind the establishment of the Springfield Recovery High School and served as its first Director. For the past 25 years, Dr. Cosgriff has been an adjunct faculty member at several colleges in the greater Springfield area, teaching classes in educational and adolescent psychology, as well as substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment. Dr. Cosgriff is also a person in long-term recovery from substance abuse, having been clean and sober since 1975.

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

 The Rev. Carol Bolstad, MATS, LADC I, the 2012 recipient of the Lora Roe Counselor of the Year Award, has been in the social service sector since 1998 when she began working with incarcerated men and women who were HIV positive. She has a deep commitment to working with those who are striving towards recovery, working with the street homeless, the mentally ill and, prior to her social service experience, she worked with college students in residential life who were just beginning to show signs of substance use disorders. Throughout all of this experience the majority of the individuals she has worked with have been living with substance use disorders. Rev. Bolstad was ordained as a priest in the independent Catholic movement and the International Council of Community Churches in 2009. Since that time she founded Southeastern Open Door Mission, Inc. She does street and recovery ministry, continuing her commitment to working with the disenfranchised and dually diagnosed.

NAADAC President’s Awards
The NAADAC President presents this award to an individual, institution or corporation in recognition of a long and continued commitment to the Association and in appreciation for support of the addiction profession.

 Helene Cross, MS, has served as the President and CEO of Fairbanks for 11 years and has provided leadership for capital improvement and building projects exceeding $12 million — all funded by grants and donations. Under her leadership, program revenue has tripled and all debt was eliminated. Cross has selflessly given of her time and talent to make hope and recovery a reality for thousands of individuals and families. Today, Fairbanks is a nationally recognized addiction treatment and recovery center. She is a member of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee and received the Annual Achievement Award from the American College of Addiction Treatment Administrators this year.

 Joshua Holt “Josh” Hamilton has played in Major League Baseball since 2007 and is a member of the Texas Rangers (2008–present). He is a five-time All-Star and won the American League Most Valuable Player in 2010. Hamilton’s struggles with drugs and alcohol are well documented. He was spurred into recovery after being confronted by his grandmother, Mary Holt. Hamilton’s teammates — mindful of his past struggles — have chosen to celebrate major events with ginger ale instead of champagne.

 John McAndrew is a singer/songwriter and piano player from St. Paul, Minn., who currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee. His music has been heard around the world. Recent appearances include numerous NAADAC conferences, the 50th Anniversary of NATO at the Vice President’s Residence in Washington, D.C., the Betty Ford 25th Anniversary Alumni Banquet and the National Town Hall Meeting with Colin Powell. McAndrew performed his composition, Like We Were Made of Gold at the closing ceremonies of the 2000 International AA Convention. While touring, he speaks and performs for recovery audiences across the country, working regularly with Cumberland Heights in Nashville, the Betty Ford Center in California, Hazelden in Center City, Minnesota and Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah.

“Our professionals help save lives every day. The recipients of these awards exemplify the qualities held in highest regard by the addiction profession and the community,” said NAADAC Executive Director, Cynthia Moreno Tuohy.

NAADAC's awards will be presented at the 2012 NAADAC national conference being held in Indianapolis, Ind., on August 13, 2012.