The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has selected 11 organizations to receive the agency's 2011 Science and Service Awards. These awards recognize exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions shown to prevent and/or treat mental illnesses and substance abuse.
The awards program is part of SAMHSA's strategic initiative on the prevention of substance abuse and mental illnesses. Now in its fifth year, this annual award program recognizes public- and private-sector organizations, as well as community-based coalitions, that have worked to improve their communities and the lives of individuals by providing the best services possible.
"These award winners deserve to be commended for blazing new trails in providing such cutting-edge, effective services in their communities," said SAMHSA's Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "Once again communities across the country have demonstrated prevention works, treatment is effective and people recover. The hard work of the award winners helps make a real difference with substance abuse on the rise in America and significant numbers of people with mental and substance use disorders not receiving care."
Awardees were chosen in each of five categories: substance abuse prevention; treatment of substance abuse and recovery support services; mental health promotion; treatment of mental illness and recovery support services; and co-occurring disorders.