Coalition letter supporting the appointment of Dr. Andrea G. Barthwell to the post of Deputy Director for Demand Reduction of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

Dear Senators Durbin and Fitzgerald:

We the undersigned Illinois HIV/AIDS service providers are writing to express support for Dr. Andrea G. Barthwell's appointment as Deputy Director for Demand Reduction of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Dr. Barthwell is a well known leader in our area for her many contributions developing service programs, research initiatives, and service provider training and education sessions in the areas of addiction treatment and prevention. She has brought her international expertise in the phenomena of chemical dependency to assist in the development of HIV/AIDS services as they interface with efforts against substance abuse.

In our work developing systems of care, educating health and service providers, and working with service consumers, we have continued to rely on Dr. Barthwell to present state-of-the-art information about treatment and recovery for substance abusers and their families. Dr. Barthwell is at the forefront of addressing these issues. Her work leading both the Encounter Medical Group and the BRASS Foundation continues to inform policy and service delivery, which thereby creates opportunities for those in disadvantaged communities to obtain drug abuse treatment and other essential services. In particular, she has been a leader and educator around the neurobiological aspects of addiction, treatment processes, and methadone maintenance programs.

Dr. Barthwell is relied upon by dozens of agencies in the Chicago area for assistance in developing linkages and standards of care, formulating policies, and educating providers at all levels. In the HIV arena, she was an early leader in policy development regarding HIV and drug abuse as co-chair of the Governor's Interagency HIV Task Force in the 1980s. Her voice has continued to be heard in the criminal justice arena, clinical medicine, social services, as well as with the general public.

She is a fine choice for national leadership at this time, and will bring her vision, her attention to community needs, and the needs of those in recovery, to all aspects of her work. While we will certainly miss her here in Chicago, we believe her appointment to this important position is a unique opportunity for public service by an individual who truly understands the issues inherent in substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, criminal justice, care and treatment, and related care systems.

We offer our unconditional support for her appointment.

Sincerely,

Access Community Health Network
1501 S. California (NR 645), Chicago, Illinois, 60608;
773-257-6275; fax: 773-257-6027; Contact: Steven Glass

AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC)
411 S. Wells St., Ste. 300, Chicago, Illinois, 60607;
312-922-2322; Contact: David Ernesto Munar, Associate Director-Policy & Communications

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
188 W. Randolph St., Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois, 60601; 312-427-8990; fax: 312-427-8419; Contact: Ann Fisher, Executive Director

Cook County Westside Health Center/CBC Initiative
3435 W. Van Buren, 5th floor, Chicago, Illinois 60624;
773-265-5059; fax 773-265-5092; Contact: Maurice Chapman, Supervisor

Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC) and Great Lakes Addictions Technology Transfer Center - University of Illinois at Chicago
808 S. Wood St Rm 173 m/c 779, Chicago, Il 60612;
312-996-1426; fax: 312-413-4184; Contact: Nathan L. Linsk, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and Professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work

Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative
992 W. Fullerton, Room 117, Chicago, Illinois 60614;
773-525-2785; fax 773-525-2820; Contact: Anne Statton, Project Director

DuPont Pharmaceuticals Co.
3624 N. Lakewood, 2nd floor, Chicago, Illinois 60613; 773-832-4433; Contact: Larry R. Wolf, Senior HIV Community Manager

Cc: Hon. Ted Kennedy