Drug Czar John P. Walters Keynotes Inaugural President's Dinner

For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Justin Cohen
Director of Public Relations
800-548-0497 x116

NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, congratulates the winners of its two most prestigious achievement awards, which were bestowed at the Association's first ever President's Dinner on September 15, 2003, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The event, which featured remarks by Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy John P. Walters, was held during NAADAC's Annual Membership Conference.

Thurston S. Smith (SCAADAC) was named The Laura 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.

Smith serves as the Mental Health Coordinator for the Department of Veterans Affairs Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Charleston, SC. He is on the faculty of the Florida School of Addictions Studies and the Florida Association of D.U.I Programs and frequently presents at conferences nationwide. He serves as NAADAC's southeast regional vice president.

Terry Gray (AzAADAC) was named The Mel Shulstad Professional of the Year. This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to the advancement of the addictions counseling profession.

Gray has provided counseling services to individuals with substance use disorders for more than 25 years. He owns a private outpatient treatment program that primarily serves criminal justice clientele in Tucson, AZ. His involvement with NAADAC includes tenures as the local southern Arizona chapter chair, president of AzAADAC, and as a NAADAC board member. He is also active in a variety of advisory committees addressing substance abuse issues throughout Arizona.

"In a profession replete with dedicated and highly skilled individuals, Terry Gray and Thurston S. Smith have distinguished themselves as inspirations to both their colleagues and their clients," said NAADAC's Executive Director Pat Ford-Roegner, RN, MSW, FAAN. ?NAADAC applauds their long history of accomplishments and salutes all the addictions professionals who are on the frontlines of the fight against addiction diseases."