(Washington, DC) Sis Wenger, President and CEO of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, has been honored with the National Family Partnership’s prestigious Kiki Camarena Award during the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum XVI.

Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent who believed – and lived out the belief – that one person can make a difference. In his memory, the National Family Partnership annually honors a person who has made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personifies Agent Camarena’s belief.

In accepting this award, Ms. Wenger related a recent conversation with Agent Camarena’s widow, Mika, in which she asked if there was a message Mika would like to have delivered to the 3000 community and national leaders assembled for the CADCA Forum. Mrs. Camarena said to tell them to remember to help the children who are suffering in families impacted by a parent’s or other family member’s alcohol or drug dependence. She acknowledged the importance of this message because both she and her late husband were children of alcoholics.

Ms. Wenger delivered that message, pointing out that one in four children under the age of 18 is exposed to family alcoholism and countless others to illegal drug abuse. Those children are at the highest risk for developing alcohol, drug, and mental health problems themselves and they need the help of every program represented at the CADCA Forum.

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics is the national membership and affiliate organization that is the voice for children impacted by parental alcohol and drug addiction. Information about NACoA is available at the organization's website, www.nacoa.org.

###

11426 Rockville Pike
Suite 301
Rockville, Maryland 20852
1-888-55-4COAS(2627) • FAX (301)468-0987
nacoa@nacoa.org
www.nacoa.org