FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Kevin Sabet 202–368–3329

Monday, November 10, 2003

AMERSA HONORS U.S. DEPUTY DRUG CZAR
ANDREA BARTHWELL WITH BETTY FORD AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN THE FIELD OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

(Washington, D.C.)—The Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA) awarded its prestigious Betty Ford Award to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) Deputy Director for Demand Reduction, Andrea Barthwell, MD, in a ceremony Saturday at the 27th annual AMERSA conference at Baltimore's Inner Harbor Wyndham Hotel.

"Dr. Barthwell has provided critically important leadership for the advancement of health professional education, community-based intervention and treatment, multi-cultural sensitivity, and the role of drug courts in the treatment of substance abuse," remarked AMERSA President Mark Werner, MD. "She has brought together a unique understanding of the science, practice, and humanity of our country's substance abuse problems."

AMERSA, founded in 1976, is a multidisciplinary organization of health care professionals dedicated to improving education in the care of individuals with substance abuse problems. AMERSA presents the Betty Ford Award annually to an individual who has played a significant role in the treatment and recovery of drug-dependent individuals, particularly women.

Deputy Director Barthwell advises the Director of National Drug Control Policy, John P. Walters, on national demand reduction strategies, priorities, objectives, and goals. Prior to joining ONDCP, Dr. Barthwell served as President of the Encounter Medical Group, President/CEO of the BRASS Foundation, and Executive Vice President/CCO for Human Resources Development Institute. She was also the Medical Director of TASC-Illinois and a special consultant to the Cook County Juvenile Drug Court Program. She served two terms as president of the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine and is the immediate Past President of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

For more information about the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy,please visit www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov