Former U.S. Drug Czar 4-Star Gen. Barry McCaffrey and CEO Jerry Rhodes of CRC Health Group, Country's Largest Treatment Provider, to Open West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders 7-9 pm Thurs, May 29, La Quinta Resort

LA QUINTA, Calif., May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's former Drug Czar, Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey, and CEO Jerry Rhodes of CRC Health Group, the country's largest treatment provider, will open a three-day Western drug and behavioral addiction "summit" with experts and clinicians from 38 states, the West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at the La Quinta Resort, 49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, CA 92253, Room Fiesta 10 – 13. 

McCaffrey and Rhodes will call for more treatment and expertise to address the country's 23-million person substance abuse treatment gap according to the latest statistics from the federal government.  They will also point to the explosion in prescription drugs, the rise of the "new heroin" of opiates, and harmful trends making drugs more available.  They will talk about the importance of a new federal law requiring "parity" for drug treatment and mental health services with physical health assistance and will discuss how to assure the law is implemented by providers and insurers and is not bypassed.

Credentialed Media is invited to cover the opening session and may conduct interviews of McCaffrey, Rhodes, and other conference leaders before and after the session.

In addition to serving as the nation's "Drug Czar", the White House Director of National Drug Control Policy, Four-Star Gen. McCaffrey (ret) was a commander in the Gulf War, led the famous "Left Hook", was SouthCom Commander (all US troops in Latin America), was West Point national security professor, and is a national security expert in the media. 

Rhodes joined CRC Health Group in 2003 and helped turn it into the USA's largest provider of behavioral treatment services, with over 140 facilities nationwide, by a policy of comprehensive, science based clinical excellence. Rhodes has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

McCaffrey and Rhodes will each make a PowerPoint slide presentation which will be available on request, embargoed for the opening session.

McCaffrey and Rhodes congratulated and thanked the conference leadership for their vision and organization, including Ric Ohrstrom, Gary Colby, Dee McGraw, and the symposium faculty and staff.  The symposium  is expected to host 750 participants from six countries and 38 states, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, private practitioners, employee assistance professionals, social workers, professional counselors, government and private sector substance abuse program professionals, marriage and family therapists, and rehabilitation, alcoholism and drug abuse counselors. 

Contact: Bob Weiner/Alexis Brooks 301-283-0821, cell 202-3061200 [email protected]

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates and CRC Health Group