FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 18, 2003
CONTACT: Bob Weiner 301-283-0821 or 202-361-0611

      (Seattle, WA)- Former US Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey and Washington Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen will join Dr. Barry Karlin, CEO of CRC Health Group, the country's largest private alcohol and drug treatment provider, for a news conference at 10 AM on Monday, September 22 at the Washington Athletic Club, 1325 6th Avenue, in the Lobby Lounge.

      They will announce that leaders in the state of Washington are the first in the nation to respond to addiction through a new fully-integrated comprehensive approach that includes traditional facility-based services, medically assisted opiate services, and new online treatment services in all the key areas -- criminal justice, business, education, and healthcare.

      In addition to announcing these new comprehensive efforts in Washington State, Karlin and McCaffrey will also announce year-one national results of CRC's eGetgoing, the revolutionary online treatment component for adults and teens, the nation's first and only nationally accredited online substance abuse treatment programs. These initial results will show greater treatment completion and reduced dropout rates than traditional treatment, demonstrating that online treatment's privacy and technology can be a key benefit in the continuum of care for many individuals.

      Karlin, McCaffrey, and Owen will be joined by Doug Allen, Chief of Policy and Planning for the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and representatives from the nation's most progressive programs now providing fully integrated comprehensive care throughout the state of Washington, including: Pierce County Alliance, Advocates for Wellness, Shick-Shadel Hospital, Lake Chelan Community Hospital, Sunnyside School District, Jubilee Academy, Educational Service District 123 and Drug Free Business.

      "These developments, and the comprehensive response throughout Washington State, place it at the forefront of progressive drug policy in the nation," McCaffrey asserted. "Leaders in Washington State are developing a model for the country, if not the world."

      Dr. Karlin will discuss eGetgoing's expansion into Washington State's school districts and treatment providers where they are integrating online programs into their substance abuse prevention education, early identification, intervention and treatment efforts. Dr. Karlin will report the first year's preliminary national results citing client satisfaction, retention and completion rates and other indications of online treatment effectiveness. Karlin asserted that CRC's successful experience, making it the nation's number one provider, demonstrates the importance of alternate online help, which Karlin stated is "an addition -- not a replacement -- in the continuum of care."

      Gen. McCaffrey asserted, "The drug treatment gap has remained a national crisis. Comprehensive services, including online treatment as eGetgoing is now providing, are a needed and revolutionary contribution to help reduce it."

      "We are demonstrating everyday the importance of meeting addicts and alcoholics where they are and creating the most appropriate treatment plan to support them in their life-long struggle against addiction," Karlin stated. "Solutions to the obstacles of access, stigma, privacy and cost must be overcome if their lives are to be reclaimed. It's time to end the suffering."

      CRC offers the nation's first fully integrated continuum of care including traditional residential and outpatient treatment, medically assisted treatment for opiate addiction and the online substance abuse treatment programs of eGetgoing.

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