For Release: Nov. 11, 2002 Contact: Bob Weiner 301-283-0821 or 202-361-0611
 


NATION'S FIRST TEEN INTERNET DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM TO BE LAUNCHED IN SAN JOSE NOVEMBER 13
BY FORMER US DRUG CZAR AND
CRC HEALTH CORPORATION

CEO BARRY KARLIN AND FORMER US DRUG CZAR, GEN. BARRY MCCAFFREY JOIN TEENS IN ANNOUNCING AND DEMONSTRATING FIRST TEEN INTERNET TREATMENT

San Jose, CA

Announcement with Demonstration by Teens:

11 AM Wed., Nov. 13, 2002;

105 North Bascom Avenue, Second Floor, San Jose, CA


"REVOLUTIONARY IN REDUCING TREATMENT GAP, NATIONAL CRISIS"
 


CRC also to announce Extremely Positive Results of First Year's "eGetgoing" Adult Internet Drug and Alcohol Treatment, "eGetgoing" Merger into Comprehensive National Treatment Program of full CRC Health Corporation, and CRC Addition of Major Methadone Program to Keep People Off Heroin


(San Jose, CA)--CRC Health Corporation and its online affiliate eGetgoing, the country's only accredited internet drug and alcohol treatment company, will announce and display the nation's first internet-based interactive audio and video drug and alcohol treatment and counseling program for teens. CRC Health Corporation CEO Dr. Barry Karlin and former U.S. Drug Czar, Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey, will join teens in an on-site demonstration formally launching the program on Wednesday, November 13, at 11AM at 105 N. Bascom Ave., 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA.
 

Dr. Karlin said, "Our 'teenGetgoing' program, which has undergone successful testing, will make a big difference in how the nation handles drug and alcohol dependency by teens who now face a gap in treatment services. We have a national crisis in teen drug and alcohol abuse and we are announcing a way to do something extremely significant about it, something that will be revolutionary in reducing the treatment gap. Teens say that 'teenGetgoing's' private interactive video and Internet technology is 'cool'. The program also overcomes traditional drug and alcohol treatment obstacles of access, stigma, privacy, and cost. According to the Household Survey recently released by HHS, nearly one-fourth of eighth graders say they have been drunk; 10.8% of youth 12-17 used illegal drugs last year. "
 

Gen. McCaffrey, who joined the Board of eGetgoing because of "the enormous potential for the Internet to make a difference in the country's drug treatment gap," stated, "The growing crisis of teen drug abuse mandates the imaginative and creative approach that teenGetgoing will employ on the Internet. We know that teens love interactive video, and teenGetgoing gives kids the opportunity to seek treatment in an atmosphere in which they are comfortable, with the added benefit of privacy. According to HHS, 27 million Americans use illegal drugs or alcohol regularly, 16 million need treatment, but only 3 million get it. The desperation of addiction is even more tragic when young people cannot obtain treatment. The new youth treatment opportunity from this innovative technology opens the door for them to improve the rest of their lives."
 

Dr. Karlin and General McCaffrey will also make four other important announcements:

· "The extremely positive results" of the first year tests of CRC's also unique adult on-line treatment program, "eGetgoing", the only such accredited program.

· "eGetgoing's" role in the new comprehensive national treatment system of CRC Health Corporation, including residential and outpatient drug treatment. eGetgoing is now creating a new model for addiction treatment, and together with the full scope of services offered by CRC, affords the full continuum of care.

· CRC's addition of a major multi-state methadone program to keep people off heroin, away from crime, and in productive positions in the community.

· CRC recently completed a substantial round of equity funding, making it one of the country's largest drug and alcohol treatment organizations. In addition, CRC was cited last month by the Silicon Valley Business Journal as one of the five fastest growing private companies in the Silicon Valley.
 

The news conference and demonstration will be held at eGetgoing's studio at 105 North Bascom Avenue (off San Carlos), Second Floor, San Jose, CA.
 


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