The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

NCADD News Release

For More Information, Contact: Jeffrey Hon, Director for Public Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release:

Meryl Streep and Lee Brown to Receive NCADD Achievement Awards

Two-time Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep and former drug czar Lee P.Brown, PhD are among those individuals whom NCADD will honor with achievement awards (see below for descriptions) this year for their outstanding work in the field of alcoholism and other drug addictions. Ms. Streep will receive the Humanitarian Award for her voluntary participation in "What Should I Tell My Child About Drinking?," a new prevention video for parents. "With Ms. Streep as the host of our video, we can reach a much wider audience with our message," said Eugene D. McWilliams,chair of NCADD's nominating and awards board committee. "Her merits as an actress confer instant prestige on our project, but more significantly viewers will be able to relate to the fact that she and her husband are raising four children." Dr. Brown will receive the Gold Key Award in recognition of his compassionate approach to the problem of alcoholism and other drug addictions during his tenure as President Clinton's first director of national drug control policy. Dr. Brown was a forceful advocate in the federal government for prevention and treatment. Claude W. Retherford, whose election as mayor of Tulare, CA (where he also is executive director of NCADD's local Affiliate) serves as a source of inspiration for people who are themselves in recovery from alcoholism, will receive the Silver Key Award. The Marty Mann Founder's Award will be presented posthumously to Peter Brock for his long professional commitment in both the public and private sectors to providing services for alcoholics and drug addicts. Texas philanthropist John P. McGovern, MD will receive the R. Brinkley Smithers Award for his continuing interest in and funding for alcoholism-related research. The NCADD achievement awards will be presented in Houston on November 8 during the annual conference of Affiliates. 10/96 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS GOLD KEY: This award was established in 1959 to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of alcoholism on a national level. Although such contribution may have been of brief duration, it will have been highly visible and improved national recognition of alcoholism and other drug problems and furthered general understanding that these are treatable and preventable conditions. Vernon E. Johnson, DD received the 1995 Gold Key Award; previous recipients include Bill W., Harold Hughes and Betty Ford. SILVER KEY: This award was established in 1971 to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the work of NCADD or in support of NCADD's mission and programs at a national level. Candidates include spokespersons or sponsors of major NCADD campaigns; long-time members of the NCADD Board whose contributions are deemed to be extraordinary; heads of organizations with outstanding alcoholism and drug abuse programs, such as employee assistance programs; and physicians, researchers or others whose work has significantly enhanced NCADD efforts. Nicholas A. Pace, MD and Charles R. Walker, III received Silver Key Awards in 1995; previous recipients include Ruth Fox, MD, Dana Andrews and Leonard K. Firestone. MARTY MANN FOUNDER'S AWARD: This award was established in 1988 to honor individuals of national prominence in the field of alcoholism and other drug problems whose life work strongly reflects the energy, dedication and focus exemplified by NCADD's founder, Mrs. Marty Mann. The award recognizes at least ten years of exceptional contributions to public and professional education about alcoholism and other drug problems as treatable and preventable conditions and as major public health concerns. This award honors life achievement. James G. Eads received the 1995 Marty Mann Founder's Award; previous recipients include LeClair Bissell, MD, Geraldine O. Delaney and Jasper Chen See, MD. HUMANITARIAN AWARD: This award was established in 1978 to honor major national figures for a one-time or brief contribution to the field of alcoholism on a national level but who may not otherwise be engaged in the continuing work of NCADD or of the field of alcoholism and other drugs or private citizens who have furthered the cause and mission of NCADD through a major contribution of national magnitude. The award expresses NCADD's appreciation to public figures it wishes to honor in some public way. James T. Wrich received the 1995 Humanitarian Award: previous recipients include George Meany, Nancy Reagan and President Gerald T. Ford. R. BRINKLEY SMITHERS AWARD: This award was established in 1987 to honor individuals whose voluntary service in the cause of controlling, reducing and preventing alcoholism and other drug problems and in promoting public and professional understanding of alcoholism and other drug problems as treatable and preventable conditions most exemplifies Mr. Smithers' pioneering contributions to the alcoholism movement in the United States. The award recognizes significant contributions of time, financial support and volunteer recruitment to the mission of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and its Affiliates. J. Ford Brent received the 1995 R. Brinkley Smithers Award; previous recipients include Jeremiah Milbank, Jr., Donald G. Austin and Chester H. Kirk. 5/16/96

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

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