4-Star Gen. Barry McCaffrey, National & NC Leaders Headline Nat'l-State Obesity Increasing Crisis, to Cite Disturbing National & State Numbers, at Durham's Structure House on its 35Th Anniversary

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four-Star Gen. Barry McCaffrey (Ret), the former U.S. Drug Czar, SouthCom (Latin America) Commander, and Gulf War division commander, on Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. will headline a national obesity increasing epidemic awareness news conference with national, state, and local leaders at Durham's Wellspring at Structure House. Structure House was selected for the event as a national model facility which has treated over 30,000 people and is celebrating its 35th anniversary. 

The event is at 11 a.m.- Noon Friday Feb. 17 at Structure House in Durham (3017 Pickett Road, Durham NC 27705), with lunch open to participants following. Media is invited to both the news conference and the lunch which follows.

McCaffrey said, "There will be 120 million American obese within the next five years—up from 90 million—and NC's obesity rate has increased 80% the last 15 years. These numbers are astonishing, and they are a big part of increasing health care expenses due to diabetes and heart issues. The lives of children and adults are both at stake. We must act nationally and locally."

Among leaders participating at the event will be the chairs of the state's obesity commission, the Governor's representative, state legislators, experts, alumni, Durham Mayor William Bell (he will open with a proclamation), and the CEO of the country's largest behavioral health treatment provider, CRC Health Group, Andy Eckert, which owns Structure House and facilities across the country.  Structure House and Wellspring have been featured recently on Dr. Oz and on NPR.

Eckert called Structure House's new partnership with Wellspring (Structure House, now called Wellspring at Structure House, assists adults, and Wellspring helps youth) and the expanded joint mission "imperative to help stop the epidemic of obesity at all ages. Our nation and our communities are at risk."

Speakers at the event will include: General McCaffrey; Mayor Bell (with proclamation); Andy Eckert, CEO, CRC Health Group;  Dr. Gerard Musante, Founder, Structure House; Dr. Olson Huff, Founder Olson Huff Center for Childhood Development; State Representative Verla Insko – NC  House of Representatives;  Dr. Eric DeMaria – Bariatric Surgeon and Founder of New Hope Wellness Center; Carsyn Nash, Wellspring alumnus;  Mike Theokas, Structure House alumnus ; Eliza Kingsford, Clinical Director Weight Management (Emcee); Dr. Laura Gerald, Sr. Advisor to Governor Purdue and Governor's special representative.

CONTACT: Bob Weiner, +1-301-283-0821, cell +1-202-306-1200, [email protected], Richard Mann, +1-301-283-0821

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates; CRC Health Group