Dan Olweus, Creator of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, To Receive Prestigious Award

CENTER CITY, Minn., Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hazelden is proud to announce that Dr. Dan Olweus, author of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) will be receiving this year's prestigious Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology at the meeting of the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C. on Friday, August 5, 2011.  The OBPP was designed by Dr. Olweus and implemented in Norway where its success led to further use of the program throughout Europe and the United States.  OBPP was first introduced in American schools in 1994 and Hazelden Publishing, the leading publisher of evidence-based prevention programs, has been distributing the OBPP program in the U.S. market since 2007.

"Publishing Dr. Olweus' program is an immensely gratifying experience as we see children's lives improve," said Nick Motu, publisher and vice president of Marketing and Communications at Hazelden. "With awareness about bullying increasing, Hazelden is proud to bring the work of Dan Olweus -- and the solutions he offers -- to schools and communities across the country."

The citation for the award states, "For his lifelong commitment to understand bullying among children and create safe and humane school settings.  Dan Olweus led the education of the global public about the nature and prevalence of bullying, its often serious consequences, and the behavior of adults that allows bullying to occur.  He has done so as a careful researcher, a thoughtful theoretician, a creative program developer, and a tireless advocate.  He uncovered the problem and created and evaluated a comprehensive solution.  Throughout his career, he has been guided by a concern for careful psychological inquiry and a commitment to the promotion of human rights."

About the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Today OBPP is being used in over 6,000 schools nationwide and 700 individuals are trained to implement the program.  OBPP is the only nationally recognized program credited with over 35 years of expert research and it has been proven to reduce up to 50 percent of student reports of being bullied and bullying others.  Ongoing results have shown marked reductions in student reports of general antisocial behavior such as vandalism, fighting, theft and truancy; and clear improvements in the classroom social climate, as reflected in students' reports of improved order and discipline, more positive social relationships, and more positive attitudes toward schoolwork and school.  Training is developed and conducted by the Institute for Family and Neighborhood Life at Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. Learn more at www.olweus.org.

About Hazelden

Hazelden, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction.  Built on decades of knowledge and experience, Hazelden offers a comprehensive approach to addiction that addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional needs, including treatment and continuing care for youth and adults, research, higher education, public education and advocacy, and publishing.  It has facilities in Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, and Florida. Learn more at www.hazelden.org.  

SOURCE Hazelden