Join the National Committee Renew Your Membership
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Social Security
Medicare
Other Aging Issues
Members and Supporters
Press Room





  • Become Involved
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Resources


  • Celebrating 25 Years of Advocacy

  • Home Page
  • Increase Text Size
  • Decrease Text Size

    • AddThis Social Bookmark Button Email This Page to A Friend Print This Page

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    April 29, 2005

    CONTACT:
     Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
    Ouida Williams 202-216-8405

    ~ 4 Million Seniors ~ One Voice ~No Privatization ~

    D.C. Department of Health Substance Abuse Awareness Program Wins National Award

    Washington , D.C. — The Substance Abuse Awareness for Seniors Program within the D.C. Department of Health has won the Service to Seniors Award for providing a vital service to older people in the community. The award honors those who are innovative in their approach to serving seniors and are dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors. The award is part of the National Committee's annual Salute to Leaders in Aging program, which recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding service to seniors and their families.

    Recognizing that substance abuse among older people is on the rise and involves - beyond illegal drugs - alcohol dependency and misuse of prescription medication, the D.C. Department of Health Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration established an outreach effort through its' Substance Abuse Awareness Program.

    The outreach effort, led by staff member Cassandra Hardison, focuses primarily on individual visits to senior community programs where preventative workshops are offered. In addition, counseling interventions are made available, including technical assistance in treatment planning through interagency coordination agreements.

    “We know many seniors are extremely reluctant to raise the issue of substance abuse with health professionals or family members,” says Barbara Kennelly, President and CEO of the National Committee. “This program calls on the best of our community to meet the very special needs of older people.

    The award ceremony will take place May 9 in Washington , D.C. , as part of the National Committee's celebration of Older Americans Month.

    The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.