The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Section announced the recipients of its 2006 ATOD Section awards at the 134^th APHA Annual Meeting in Boston. 

“These awards are intended to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in the ATOD field,” said Dr. Frances Stillman, chair of the ATOD Section.  “The awards also acknowledge the diverse subject topics in our field including advocacy, education, policy, prevention, research and service delivery.”

The ATOD Section recognized three of its luminaries at the annual Awards Ceremony and Business Meeting held on Nov. 7, 2006 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.  The Section Leadership Award, which recognizes a Section member who makes significant contributions to the ATOD Section and field, went to John Noble.  Noble, who recently retired from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information in Rockville, Md., is a long-time member and supporter of the ATOD Section.

The Community-Based Advocacy Award acknowledges leadership in community-based ATOD programs that affect the community environment.  This award went to Rev. Dr. Daniel Gangler, director of communications for the United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.

Rev. Jesse W. Brown Jr., executive director of the National Association of African Americans for Positive Imagery, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization, won the Slade Memorial Advocacy Award.  This award recognizes the work of an individual who demonstrates leadership, resourcefulness and passion in organizing and completing a policy-related campaign in the ATOD field.  The award was named for one of the pioneers in the ATOD field, the late Dr. John D. Slade.

“We appreciate our award winners’ contributions and congratulate them on receiving these prestigious awards,” Stillman said.

André Stanley, MPH