Actor, Author, and Activist Christopher Kennedy Lawford Joins CADCA's Board of Directors

ACTOR, AUTHOR AND ACTIVIST CHRISTOPHER KENNEDY LAWFORD
JOINS CADCA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Washington, D.C. – Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) announced today that actor, author and addiction activist Christopher Kennedy Lawford has joined its Board of Directors. After recovering from a long battle with drug and alcohol addiction, the New York Times bestselling author dedicated his life to raising public awareness about drug abuse addiction and recovery, working with a variety of nonprofit partners and national leaders to increase support for those issues. Now, as a member of CADCA’s Board of Directors, Kennedy Lawford will bring his passion and expertise to the field of substance abuse prevention.

“We are honored that Chris has agreed to join our Board of Directors. Not only does he bring to the Board tremendous passion, he also brings extensive knowledge about substance abuse addiction and knows first-hand what it takes to gain public support for issues that aren’t always popular,” said CADCA Chairman & CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean. “His personal story of addiction and recovery is inspiring and uplifting, and he will undoubtedly bring that same level of commitment to helping community coalitions prevent and reduce substance abuse.”

Kennedy Lawford said: “I am honored to be joining the CADCA Board of Directors. As one of our most important and effective grass roots substance abuse prevention organizations in the country, CADCA has made a significant impact on drug and alcohol abuse among our youth in communities across the United States. I look forward to working with General Art Dean, his staff and the more than 5,000 CADCA coalitions throughout the US in continuing this vital mission.”

Kennedy Lawford has spent much of his life in Hollywood and Washington, navigating these two worlds as an actor, writer, lawyer, activist and public speaker. However, before his successes, Lawford battled a drug and alcohol addiction for much of his early life. In recovery for more than 24 years, he shares his experience, strength and hope to make a difference in people’s lives. For the past five years he has worked with a number of partners in private industry, the non-profit sector, state and federal governments and patient advocacy groups to effect change and raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction and hepatitis C.

Lawford has extensive experience in the non-profit sector working with a variety of organizations including: Caron Treatment Centers, California Hepatitis Alliance, The Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, Special Olympics, The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University,and was recently appointed byGovernor Arnold Schwarzeneggerto theCalifornia Public Health Advisory Committee. As an author, he has published three critically acclaimed books, including his 2005 New York Times Bestselling memoir, Symptoms of Withdrawal.

Lawford holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, a Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School and a Masters Certification in Clinical Psychology from Cambridge City Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, where he gained an academic appointment as a Lecturer on Psychiatry at HMS.