June 16, 2006
OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Kimberly
A. Johnson Receives Prestigious National Award
AUGUSTA,
ME – Kimberly Johnson, director of DHHS’ Office of Substance Abuse
(OSA), was recently awarded the prestigious 2006 “Friend of the Field
Award” in Atlanta at the National Conference of the American Association
for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, Inc. (AATOD).
The Friend of the Field Award was established by the American Association
for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence Board of Directors. This award recognizes
extraordinary contributions to the field of methadone treatment by an individual
or institution whose work, although not directly related to methadone treatment,
has had a significant impact on our field.
“Ms. Johnson’s contributions to providing access to methadone
treatment services is the result of her being able to create a consensus among
all parties to find the best solution for patients in need of care, the surrounding
communities and treatment providers,” said Mark Parrino, MPA, President
of AATOD, “The true value of Johnson’s commitment to this work
is to be certain that patients get access to the best quality treatment that
is available. In this regard, the interests of the community are safeguarded.”
Johnson has been an indefatigable advocate of methadone treatment programs
in Maine during a turbulent period of development. Maine did not have methadone
treatment programs within its boundaries until 1995. She has provided extraordinary
and consistent leadership in resisting the efforts of community groups and
elected officials in closing methadone treatment programs, in addition to fending
off legislation which would have had a negative impact on the evolution of
methadone treatment programs in Maine and the northeastern corridor.
Previous awardees of the AATOD’s Friend of the Field Award are: Dr.
John Ball, Dr. Enoch Gordis, Mr. Joseph M. Hill, Hon. Edward M. Kennedy, Dr.
Alan I. Leshner, Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, Dr. James Oleske, Dr. Charles R.
Schuster, and the Legal Action Center.
Johnson has the distinction of being the only State Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Director to spearhead a major public relations campaign, through radio and
other media outlets, to specifically support the methadone treatment system.
The continued use of methadone treatment in Maine would have been seriously
threatened were it not for her leadership in the face of such an extraordinary
challenge.
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Contact:
Lynn “Kip” Kippax, Director
Media and Public Relations
Department of Health and Human Services
221 State Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Tel: (207) 287-5012 (direct)
Cell: (207) 557-1474
E-mail: lynn.kippax@maine.gov
