11 a.m. Fri., Sept. 23 News Conference With 4-Star Gen. Barry McCaffrey, National & Local Officials, Law Enforcement, Military, VIPs, Country's Largest Treatment Provider to Highlight "Treatment Gap" in Drug Abuse

Twelve Oaks, Navarre, FL Treatment Center Is National HQ for Recovery Month Celebration, to Honor Recovering Military and General Population -- 2068 Healthcare Avenue, Navarre, FL 32566

Event To Emphasize 1.4 Million Floridians, 23 Million Across Country Need but Lack Treatment

INCLUDES BALLOON RELEASE TO CELEBRATE RECOVERY

NAVARRE/PENSACOLA, Fla., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey, the former U.S. Director of National Drug Control Policy, along with other national and local officials, law enforcement leaders, military, treatment experts, providers, and spokespersons for substance abuse treatment, program alumni, and families, will lead a national news conference at Twelve Oaks Treatment Center in Navarre, FL at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 23 as a headquarters event for National Recovery Month.  Held in cooperation with the annual HHS/SAMHSA Recovery Month, the event will also honor recovering servicemen and women. Twelve Oaks has one of the nation's premier military recovery programs; leaders and experts in PTSD will be among the speakers.

The event is Friday, September 23 at 11 a.m. at Twelve Oaks Treatment Center, 2068 Healthcare Avenue, Navarre, FL 32566. At Noon, following the 11 a.m. News conference, in conjunction with over 100 other addiction treatment facilities across the nation, all participants – speakers, VIP's, and audience -- will be releasing biodegradable balloons nationwide at the same Noon time in a show of support for those in recovery and the many treatment professionals who dedicate their lives to making a difference.

Four-Star General McCaffrey served as the nation's "Drug Czar", Commander of SouthCom for all U.S. troops in Latin American  America, assistant to Colin Powell at the National Security Council, a commander in Iraq and leader of the successful "Left Hook" during the Gulf War, professor at West Point, and is an expert in the national media on substance abuse policies, national security, and terrorism.

Other speakers at the event include:

• Terry David Terrell, Chief Judge, First Judicial Circuit, State of Florida
• Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley
• Niceville, FL Police Chief David Popwell
• Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel-Vasilinda
• Clark Merritt, district rep. for U.S. Cong. Jeff Miller (FL-01), Chair, US House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Member, US House Armed Services Com.
• Jerry Rhodes, Chief Operating Officer, CRC Health Group, nation's largest behavioural and substance abuse treatment provider, parent co. of Twelve Oaks
• Marian Ross, National Recovery Ambassador, treatment alumna, San Jose CA
• Christopher Bailey, Sgt 1st Class Army Ranger Instructor; Alumnus, Twelve Oaks
• Diane Vchulek, PTSD Coordinator - Twelve Oaks Recovery
• Janea Kraus – Vocalist
• Keith Kuhn, Executive Director - Twelve Oaks Recovery; event emcee

The event, titled "Recovery Takes Flight," is part of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  

Twelve Oaks Treatment Center has been selected as the nationwide headquarters for the September 23 event by parent company CRC Health Group, the country's largest chemical dependency treatment provider, who is providing the venue for the event.  

The special press conference prior to the balloon liftoff will focus on the mental health disorders and addiction issues of 1.4 Million Floridians and 23 Million Across Country who Need but Lack treatment  according to HHS' latest numbers, as well as many of our active duty and returning service men and women.  With service suicides and addiction reaching higher levels, the issue is now of paramount importance as troops return from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Twelve Oaks is proud to have assisted men and women in service and post-service, as well as their families, among the many thousands of successful alumni from all fields.  

Gen. McCaffrey stated, "The event will honor our servicemen and women and the treatment experts who do everything possible to assure them ongoing productive lives.  Twelve Oaks is a national model facility in how its professionals help our military and veterans. It has made an important contribution over the past several years and now as our combat missions end in Iraq and Afghanistan."  Twelve Oaks works with Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Air Force Base, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fort Rucker Army Base, Camp LeJeune (Marine and Navy), and Fort Bragg Army Base among others.

Rhodes said, "We selected Twelve Oaks Treatment Center because the facility is a leader in the effective treatment of mental health and substance abuse of men and women in service and afterward, as well as for the population as a whole.  CRC works hard to address the national and state drug addiction crisis. While we treat 30,000 individuals every day, that is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is needed. With 23 million who lack treatment in America and 1.4 million in Florida alone, we are delighted at the range of officials, providers and experts here today.  A public-private partnership is critical.

The media and public are invited to the events free of charge. The emcee will be Twelve Oaks Treatment Center Executive Director Keith Kuhn. A luncheon follows, and all participants and media are invited.      

Contact: Bob Weiner/Khurram Abbas  301-283-0821/202-306-1200

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates and CRC Health Group