CADCA’S 2010 National Leadership Forum to Feature CNN’S Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Other National Leaders

CADCA’S 2010 NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM TO FEATURE CNN’S DR. SANJAY GUPTA AND OTHER NATIONAL LEADERS

Four-day Conference to Help Community Leaders Tackle Drug Use and Crime

Washington, D.C. – More than 2,500 substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists from throughout the country will convene in Washington, D.C. for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA) 20th annual National Leadership Forum, held February 8-11, 2010 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, located just outside of Washington, D.C. Headlining the conference is Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent and Emmy Award-winning reporter.

Dr. Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon and professor of neurosurgery at Emory University. In addition to lead reporting for CNN’s health and medical coverage, he contributes regularly to American Morning, Anderson Cooper 360°, reports for CNN.com and CNN documentaries, has his own half-hour weekend medical affairs program, SANJAY GUPTA, MD, and anchors Vital Signs on CNN International. Dr. Gupta is the author of two best-selling books, Chasing Life (2007) and Cheating Death (2009), both of which were turned in to companion CNN documentaries.

"We are truly excited to welcome Dr. Sanjay Gupta to the 20th anniversary of our signature event. Healthcare reform is one of the main topics we will address during our four-day conference and I believe that Dr. Gupta can offer his unique perspective as a physician and CNN’s chief medical correspondent,” said General Arthur T. Dean, CADCA's Chairman and CEO. “We’re also thrilled that a number of other national leaders will offer remarks during our conference.”

CADCA's National Leadership Forum is the nation's largest training for substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals and researchers, featuring more than 100 training courses to help community and state leaders prevent and reduce substance abuse and its related problems. The event offers participants an opportunity to learn effective strategies to solve their community's substance abuse problems and to hear from the country's leading experts on drug prevention, treatment and recovery.

Other featured speakers at CADCA's Forum include R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Adolfo Carrion, White House Director of Urban Affairs; Pamela Hyde, the newly appointed Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Secretary of Health for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Several members of Congress will also address Forum attendees. They include Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT); Charles Grassley (R-IA) ; Patrick Leahy (D-VT); and Ron Wyden (D-OR); Congresswomen Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA); and Congressmen Danny K. Davis (D-IL); Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Sander Levin (D-MI). Actor, activist and author Christopher Kennedy Lawford will also speak. In addition, we have invited Vice President Joseph Biden, who was a longtime champion of substance abuse prevention and the community coalition movement.

CADCA’s Forum will cover a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and underage drinking to how to apply research to community-based drug prevention efforts and screening and brief intervention for substance use disorders. During two special Federal Town Hall sessions, directors of various federal agencies will take questions from participants. The theme of the first Federal Town Hall, scheduled for Tues., Feb. 9, is “Substance Use Disorders, Health and Healthcare.” The theme of the second Federal Town Hall is “Restoring America’s Communities,” and will take place on Thurs., Feb. 11. The second town hall will be moderated by Kojo Nnamdi, host of The Kojo Nnamdi Show, a live talk show produced by WAMU 88.5.

For more information about CADCA’s National Leadership Forum, visit http://www2.cadca.org/events/forum/forum20/.

Members of the media interested in press credentials for the National Leadership Forum should contact Natalia Martinez Duncan at (703) 706-0560 ext. 256 or via e-mail at nmartinez@cadca.org.