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

NCADD News Update

For More Information, Contact: Ames Sweet, Director of Communications 212/269-7797, ext. 16

For Immediate Release: April 8, 2004

SPRING AWARDS LUNCHEON TO HONOR MUSIC LEGENDS AND PIONEER IN THE ALCOHOLISM FIELD On Wednesday, April 28, 2004, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and its New York City Affiliate, the Alcoholism Council of New York, will host their annual Spring Awards Luncheon at Tavern on the Green in New York City's Central Park. Receiving the R. Brinkley Smithers Award from the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation will be legendary musicians Eric Clapton and Judy Collins, along with Dr. Sheila Blume, a pioneer in addiction medicine. Having experienced alcoholism from the inside out, these two legendary musicians have committed significant time and resources to help others recover, and Dr. Sheila Blume has helped shape present knowledge, clinical practice and public policies related to addiction. One of the world's preeminent Blues/Rock guitarists, Eric Clapton's musical career spans five decades and he has earned numerous accolades and awards for his music. During recent years, he has been devoted to the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, an international treatment center he established for alcohol and drug dependency treatment. Known throughout the world for her unique blend of interpretive folksongs and contemporary themes, Judy Collins has been in recovery for many years and continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart. Dr. Sheila Blume has been a leader in the field of alcoholism and other drug addictions for over thirty years and has devoted her career to persuading the public, policy makers and the medical establishment that alcoholism is a disease. The R. Brinkley Smithers Award is presented annually by the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation as a permanent memorial to its founder, R. Brinkley Smithers. It recognizes individuals who have publicly shared the message of hope and the promise of help, and individuals whose work in the field of alcoholism has had a positive impact in the fight against America's most misunderstood disease. Additionally, Master of Ceremonies Scott Clark, Sports Director and Sports Anchor at WABC-TV, will receive the Adele C. Smithers-Fornaci Award. This award is given to an individual for dedication to raising public awareness of alcoholism by courageously speaking out and carrying the message of help, hope and recovery. Scott Clark is a Vice President on the Board of Directors of the Alcoholism Council of New York. For more information about the Luncheon or the Awards ceremony, please contact NCADD at 212-269-7797 or the Alcoholism Council of New York at 212-252-7001. Or visit the NCADD 2004 Annual Spring Awards Luncheon for information on recipients, the awards and the participating organizations. ###

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 phone: 212/269-7797   fax: 212/269-7510 email: national@ncadd.org   http://www.ncadd.org HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)