Fellows in the News

“DLRSA (Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse) fellows differ by area of expertise, ethnicity, gender, geographic distribution, religious affiliation, and sexual orientation, but are united by their commitment to alleviating the harm caused by using alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs - - and the devastating effects that substance abuse and addiction have on every aspect of family, community and national life.”  This was reported by Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly on the announcement of 2003 Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse Fellowship recipients last November. This news continues to be communicated to the field and public in Fellow coverage throughout the year.

            Coverage for all four years of Fellows focused on substance abuse and addiction issues of national and local significance.  More than 10 million Americans read or heard about the DLRSA Fellows in more than 100 news stories and op-eds. A sample of other news outlets providing coverage includes:

·        Associated Press
·        The New York Times
·        The Washington Post
·        The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·        Portland Business Journal
·        The Tennessean
·        The New York Sun
·        American Health Line
·        Counselor Magazine
·        Chronicle of Philanthropy
·        APHA’s The Nation’s Health

… and many more.

            We believe it is best to let the Fellows speak for themselves, so here is a selection of what they had to say in the press to convey critical messages to the public about substance abuse and addiction issues:

“Society seems to want to spend more time, money and energy in punishing sick people than educating and treating them.  Why do we stigmatize those who need our help most?” – Barry S. Schecter, MSW, CASAC (Counselor Magazine, October 2003)

“By all accounts, alcohol is the most dangerous drug to young people.  Far more than any illegal drug, alcohol is linked to the three main causes of teen deaths . . . So why do we have a national youth anti-drug campaign and not a national anti-underage drinking campaign?” – James Gogek (Washington Post, 07/14/03)