Addiction Groups Begin Discussions on Collaboration Print
Wednesday, 09 February 2005 19:00

Groups to discuss specific ways the organizations can jointly address addiction professional certification, education and public policy related issues

For Immediate Release - Washington, DC

Cynthia Moreno Tuohy
301 755-4256

The presidents of the National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) and the Society of Credentialed Addiction Professionals (S.CAP) today announced an upcoming meeting of their senior leadership to begin discussions on collaboration among the three groups.

The meeting will occur in Washington DC on February 19th and 20th to discuss specific ways the three organizations can jointly address addiction professional certification, education and public policy related issues.

"In recent years dramatic changes have occurred on many levels that are beginning to substantially affect the addictions profession" said Jim Scarborough, M.Div, president of both the ICRC and S.CAP. Said Mary Woods, RNC, LADC, MSHS, president of NAADAC: "In response to these dramatic changes, and as a result of recent changes within our three organizations, we now have an historic opportunity to join together in more effective ways to address the needs of our profession."

Ms. Woods and Mr. Scarborough both stated: "Challenging times often call for bold action. Today the addictions profession is confronting multiple challenges that must be addressed through a marshaling of resources and a truly unified effort. We are inspired and humbled by the task we are embarking upon to speak with one voice."

The three organizations plan to release a joint statement on their progress at the conclusion of their meetings on February 20th.



NAADAC is the largest Membership Organization of its kind dedicated to serving the needs of addiction professionals and those they serve. NAADAC also offers three credentials nationwide for addiction professionals. These are the National Addiction Counselors, level I and II, and the Master Addiction Counselor credentials. NAADAC also has the only Political Action Committee and advocacy program dedicated to representing addiction counselors in Washington, DC, and across the US, and has a network of 47 state affiliate membership organizations.

The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, or ICRC, sets the international standard of practice in addiction counseling, prevention, and clinical supervision through testing and credentialing of addiction professionals. ICRC is a membership organization composed of addiction credentialing boards in forty states, six federal agencies, and ten countries outside the U.S. It has certified over 35,000 professionals internationally.

The mission of the Society of Credentialed Addiction Professionals (SCAP) is to ensure quality of care in addiction prevention and treatment by promoting credentialing of professionals in the field of addictions. SCAP is a membership organization composed of individual professionals as well as non-profit and for-profit entities that support its mission.