For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Donovan Kuehn
703-741-7686, ext. 125
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NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, proudly honored John Lisy, LISW, LPCC, CCDC III-E at its Advocacy in Action Day in Washington, DC. Lisy, a resident of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, was recognized for his legislative work on behalf of the addiction profession.

Lisy is currently the Executive Director of the Shaker Heights Youth Center in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Shaker Heights Youth Center has received the Exemplary Prevention Award from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services three times since 2000. Lisy has also shown his leadership by chairing the Ohio Alcohol and Drug Policy Alliance from 1998 to 2000 and serving as President and State Legislator Chair for the Ohio Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. He was a founding and active member of the Coalition for Chemical Dependency Licensure. Ohio's licensure bill, designed to ensure professional and ethical standards, was signed into law by Governor Taft in January of 2002.

Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula was also honored by NAADAC for his public service, his commitment to public health issues and his support for Ohio's Workforce Development Project: a national project designed to encourage renewal and employment retention in the addiction profession. Representative Regula received the 2005 NAADAC Legislator of the Year Award.

"NAADAC is pleased to recognize two outstanding leaders from Ohio. John Lisy and Representative Regula have shown their commitment to championing addictive disorder issues," said George Wharton, President of the Ohio Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors.

NAADAC President Mary Woods, RNC, LADC, MSHS, praised NAADAC's choice of Lisy and Regula. "John Lisy is one of many NAADAC's members who has an articulate and passionate advocates for the addiction profession and their clients. Representative Regula has brought passion and skill to Capitol Hill and is helping reshape the perception of addiction by our nation?s lawmakers," she said.