OASAS Honors Three on Addictions Professionals Day

NIAGARA FALLS, NY (09/28/2007)(readMedia)-- The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) will honor three addictions professionals chosen as the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) of the Year, the CASAC Trainee of the Year and the Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) of the Year.

The awards are to be presented by OASAS Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo on Sunday, Sept. 30, proclaimed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer as Addictions Professionals Day in New York. The ceremony will be held at the annual conference of the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, Inc.

“These outstanding professionals exemplify the highest standards and commitment to the field of addiction services,” Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said. “To our award winners and all of the addictions professionals of New York, I want to congratulate you for the life-changing impact you make on the 110,000 people served on any given day in the OASAS system.”

The Commissioner continued, “Because of your work, we can proudly tell all New Yorkers, ‘Prevention is the first prescription for a healthy New York. Treatment works. And Recovery is real!’”

Bernard J. Ziolkowski, the Outpatient Services Director at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in Saranac Lake, will be named CASAC of the Year. Mr. Ziolkowski also serves on several community advisory boards and speaks to college faculty and students about alcohol and drug abuse. Mr. Ziolkowski was nominated for his understanding, enthusiasm, skill, empathy, leadership, knowledge, and ability to inspire.

Deirdre D. Forbes, the Intake Coordinator at Madison East at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, will be named CASAC Trainee of the Year for her high level of professional conduct and her dedication to helping individuals and families suffering from alcoholism and substance abuse. Ms. Forbes received her CASAC Trainee certificate in May 2004. As she continues to work toward achieving status as a full-fledged CASAC, she is also pursuing a Master’s Degree at the New York University School of Social Work

Teri J. Prairie, a Prevention Specialist at Citizen Advocates in Malone, will be honored as the CPP of the Year. Ms. Prairie works with children by implementing school-wide prevention campaigns. Along with drug and alcohol prevention, Ms. Prairie also created a “Good Touch/Bad Touch” lesson in order to address the sensitive issue of child sex abuse. The CASAC designation, now marking its 10th anniversary, establishes the highest standards for professionals who specialize in the field of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction. There are currently 6,000 active CASACS in New York supporting the provision of quality care for addiction.

Addictions Professionals Day in New York pays tribute to the work of prevention and treatment professionals and the contributions they make to ensuring that recovery continues to be attainable for the 2.5 million New Yorkers who are dealing with alcohol, drug or gambling addiction.

OASAS oversees the largest addictions services system in the nation, serving 260,000 people in 2006 through 1,419 programs which are committed to improving the lives of all New Yorkers by leading a premier system of addiction services for prevention, treatment and recovery.

The ASAP conference runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. at the Niagara Falls Convention Center.

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