DRUG-FREE HEROES

The Truth About Drugs Issue VII - A Narconon Publication - Editor John S. Duff

“The banding together of good guys and an acknowledgment of that goodness is the real purpose of the Narconon Drug Free-Hero Awards. It is the real reason that I am involved with Narconon as their spokesperson. This year we are recognizing six of the best good guys walking on Earth. It is truly my privilege to help honor them this year.”
KIRSTIE ALLEY
Narconon International Spokesperson & Chairman, Drug-Free Hero Selection Committee

MONSIGNOR WILLIAM B. O’BRIEN

Daytop Village, Inc.

Monsignor William B. O’Brien is president and founder of Daytop Village. He is the guiding force behind one of the world’s most prominent and successful drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

Founded in 1963, Daytop is the oldest and largest drug-free treatment program in the country serving 4,300 young people daily at 26 residential and ambulatory facilities located in New York, New Jersey, Texas, California and Florida. 88 percent of those who have gone through the program have remained drug-free. The number of lives saved is well over 60,000. In addition, through Daytop International Monsignor has been responsible for the development of treatment programs in over forty countries worldwide. Monsignor O’Brien is the current president of The World Federation of Therapeutic Communities. Headquartered in New York, this Federation is an independent association of drug treatment centers around the world representing 42 nations and six continents.

Among the many offices he has held, Monsignor O’Brien was co-founder and past president, Therapeutic Communities of America, Inc.; trustee and director of the International Council on Alcoholism and Addictions; executive director, The Cardinal’s Commission on Youth, Drugs and Alcohol; trustee and governor, National Conference of Christians and Jews. A member of numerous professional societies, Monsignor O’Brien has been a visiting lecturer and universities throughout the world and has received many special honors and awards. In July, 1993 his book, You Can’t Do It Alone, The Day top Way to Make Your Child Drug Free, was published by Simon and Schuster.

JOHN LUCAS

John Lucas Enterprises

John Lucas is well known both for his efforts in helping others overcome alcohol and drug addiction and his successful career as Head Coach of the NBA San Antonio Spurs.

Prior to the choice of Lucas as top pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1976 NBA Draft, he had a star record in both basketball and tennis. He first made his reputation in his hometown of Durham North Carolina, and then at ‘the University of Maryland, where he was named All-American in 1975 and 1976. John began a fourteen year NBA career as a starter with the Rockets and also played with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, and Seattle Supersonics.

But there was also a painful side to Lucas’ story, as his drug addiction took control of his life. Twice in his NBA career Lucas was suspended by the NBA for testing positive for drug use. His first offense occurred on December of 1984, while his second offense took place in 1986. After his second offense, Lucas sought help, and he has been sober since March 14, 1986.

John Lucas has since committed himself to a future of helping others overcome alcohol and drug addiction through the founding of John Lucas Enterprises in 1986. The Houston based company consists of a number of drug treatment programs and other endeavors that help athletes and others maintain their sobriety and work to improve their quality of life. These programs include the John Lucas Residential Treatment Center, John Lucas Athletes’ Aftercare Programs and S.T.A.N.D. (Students Taking Action Not Drugs). In addition, he is the program consultant to Sam Houston Memorial Hospital’s John Lucas/HELP Unit.

HENRY C. LOZANO

California Youth to Youth Alliance, Inc.

Since 1974, Mr. Henry Lozano has been a speaker at local, state and national conferences in substance abuse issues, focusing on youth and adult “positive prevention” collaborations.

From 1974 to 1986, Mr. Lozano directed short-term and long-term drug and alcohol therapeutic communities for National Teen Challenge, Inc.

In 1985, one of Mr. Lozano’s recognized contributions to this state and nation was his leadership m the mobilization of a grass-roots campaign to honor his schoolmate, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent, Enrique “Kiki” Camerena, shortly after his untimely death. Mr. Lozano played a key role in kicking off, at the local level, what has become the International Red Ribbon Campaign.

Since 1985, Mr. Lozano has served in a leadership capacity on the Board of Directors of Californians for Drug-Free Youth, Inc.

In 1988, Mr. Lozano assumed the role of Western Regional Director of National Youth to Youth based in Columbus, Ohio. Youth to Youth was founded in 1982 and is recognized as a national leader in teen alcohol, tobacco and other drug use prevention programming.

Mr. Lozano developed and founded the California Youth to Youth Alliance, Inc. in 1991. Its primary mission is housed in the promotion and advocacy of youth as a viable resource in the development of community partnerships. Mr. Lozano has not only carried this mission to over one hundred communities throughout the western states, but has had the privilege of engaging thousands of youth and adults in communities by “advancing the technology of positive prevention.” Mr. Lozano believes in never underestimating the power of today’s youth to improve themselves and the world around them.

CONGRESSMAN CHARLES B. RANGEL

United States House of Representatives 15th Congressional District of New York State

Congressman Rangel is currently serving his twelfth term for the 15th Congressional District and is the third ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Deputy Majority Whip of the House of Representatives, and Dean of the New York State Congressional Delegation.

During his career in the House of Representatives, Congressman Rangel has served as Chair of the New York State Council of Black Elected Democrats; Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, of which he is a founding member; and member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Congressman Rangel is the principal author of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which is responsible for providing most of the affordable housing recently built in the United States. The Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, which Congressman Rangel also championed, has provided thousands of jobs for underprivileged young people. Congressman Rangel has also served as leading advocate for Enterprise Zones programs, which would revitalize urban neighborhoods throughout America.

As Chairman of the newly formed Congressional Drug Caucus, and former Chairman of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, Congressman Rangel leads the nation’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking. To reduce the flow of drugs into the United States and solve the nation’s growing drug abuse crisis, Congressman Rangel proposes new legislation, holding public hearings, and negotiating with foreign government.

Congressman Rangel is one of the nation’s leaders and experts on the substance abuse problem and an advocate for effective substance abuse treatment and prevention.

WATTS HEALTH FOUNDATION, INC.

The Watts Health Foundation, Inc. is one of California’s largest, non-profit, comprehensive health care organizations providing services to families in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Watts Health Foundation is the parent organization for a number of health services which are: United Health Plan, an over 88,000 member federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO); The House of Uhuru, an inpatient and outpatient substance abuse program; health education center; a homeless health program; two community health centers; an adult day health care center; a school based health clinic and the Youth Education and Prevention Program (YEPP).

YEPP was founded 17 years ago and provides culturally sensitive primary drug and alcohol prevention services to a target population of youth between the ages of 8 through 13. These are children of substance abusers, children who are at risk and those who have been exposed to illegal substances.

The House of Uhuru has provided a sanctuary for over 20,000 people seeking to live a drug-free life. In Swahili, Uhuru means ‘freedom.’ This has been the guiding principle behind the House of Uhuru for nearly 25 years. The House of Uhuru offers an array of comprehensive residential and outpatient rehabilitation treatment services.

DOCTOR ISIDORO BERTINI

Mayor Manerba Del Garda, Italy Since 1981, Doctor Isidoro Bertini has been actively involved in efforts to assist the underprivileged and to address the drug problem and related juvenile delinquency problem through his support of drug rehabilitation and other social service programs in his community. Active in political administration first as Assessor of Tourism and, since 1988, Mayor of Manerba. Besides his strong support of several different drug rehabilitation programs in his community Doctor Bertini has established a hotel for the poor, a shelter for the elderly poor, a medical care facility and a meals program for the poor, elder and sick in his community.

DRUG FREE HERO SELECTION COMMITTEE:

Kirstie Alley, Chairperson
John Duff, Narconon International
Rena Weinberg, ABLE International
Ruben, Barajas, Scott Newman Center
Dr. Forest Tennant, Community Health Projects, Inc.
Gary Fowler, GSF Industries