Facing the Challenge of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Fighting Ignorance and Stigma For More Than 50 Years
When Marty Mann founded NCADD in 1944, few Americans understood that alcoholism is a disease or that only heart disease and cancer kill more people every year. Because Marty Mann was the first woman to stay sober in Alcoholics Anonymous, she wanted to share the joy of her recovery and the knowledge she had gained to break down the barrier of ignorance and stigma that discouraged many people from seeking help. Marty Mann dedicated her life to teaching the public that alcoholism is a preventable and treatable disease, not a moral weakness, and that alcoholics are capable of recovery.

Today, thanks to decades of NCADD educational and public awareness campaigns, more than 80 percent of Americans know that alcoholism is a disease. In recent years, NCADD has expanded its mission to include other drug addictions. It also has helped to establish the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, the National Nurses Society on Addictions, and the Research Society on Alcoholism. Even the American Society of Addiction Medicine was once part of NCADD. All of these organizations continue to play a vital role in helping further NCADD's mission.

NCADD National Office

• Advises the legislative and executive branches of the federal government on alcohol and other drug policies
• Advocates for alcoholic and other drug dependent persons and their families
• Provides objective information to the public and the media
• Sponsors Alcohol Awareness Month and Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week
• Develops prevention and education initiatives with an emphasis on youth
• Coordinates a National Intervention Network (800-654-HOPE) to educate and assist the families and friends of addicted persons Participates in various coalitions to achieve broader support for concerns about alcohol and other drugs
• Participates in various coalitions to achieve broader support for concerns about alcohol and other drugs
• Produces educational materials about alcoholism and dependence on other drugs
• Publishes The Alcoholism Report, a monthly policy newsletter, and the NCADD Amethyst, a quarterly, user-friendly information tool that also reports medical and scientific advances
• Operates the Hope Line (800-NCA-CALL), a toll-free information and referral service, and a world-wide website on the Internet (www.ncadd.org)

NCADD Affiliates

• Provide objective information and referrals to appropriate services for individuals and family members who are seeking treatment for alcoholism and dependence on other drugs
• Offer community-based prevention and education programs, and local media advocacy campaigns
• Raise local awareness through presentations at schools, senior citizen centers, civic organizations and other groups
• Advocate for alcoholic and other drug dependent persons and their families at the city and state levels of government
• Serve as resource centers for literature and audio visual materials

Volunteer to Join the Challenge
Changing existing attitudes about alcoholism and other drug addictions presents a formidable challenge. NCADD, which does not accept funding from the alcoholic beverage or tobacco industries, relies on contributions from foundations, corporations and individual donors for support. You can help us by contributing your resources and time to the NCADD Affiliate in your community or to the national office.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
of the Central Mississippi Area, Inc.
5846 Ridgewood Road
Suite C-101
Jackson, MS 39211

Email: information@ncaddcenms.org
601-899-5880 Fax: 601-899-5548
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.