For Immediate Release
Date: April 13, 2006

(Washington, DC) Sis Wenger, President and CEO of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, today received PRIDE’s prestigious Lauren Ziegler Memorial Award presented during its 29th World Drug Prevention Conference.

Lauren Zeigler was an exemplary dedicated public servant and committed volunteer who tragically died in 2002. She joined the Department of Justice in 1998 as its first Program Coordinator of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program. At the same time she was a volunteer to Hospice Care and received many awards for her dedication and volunteer service. PRIDE makes this award to memorialize her work and commitment to the field of prevention and the passion she brought to service to country and care for others.

In accepting this award, Ms. Wenger spoke directly to the young people in an audience of more than 2000 – most of whom were teens - gathered in Washington, D. C. for the 2006 PRIDE Conference. She pointed out that one in four of their friends under the age of 18 is exposed to family alcoholism and many others to illegal drug abuse. She said that some in the audience may know someone who is living with an alcoholic or drug addicted parent and she challenged them not to turn away. “They need to know that the alcoholism or addiction is a disease that they did not cause, they cannot cure, and they cannot control. But they can take care of themselves by communicating their feelings and making healthy choices.” She told the young people that by being there for the one-in-four, they are helping that person – that friend – overcome the extraordinary risks they face because of the alcohol and drug abuse they are exposed to at home. She also challenged PRIDE youth to remember to include the needs of this high risk group, the one-in-four, when they call on Members of Congress to raise awareness and advocate for drug prevention.

“Sis Wenger is a ‘legend’ in the alcohol and drug prevention field. Her passion and dedication to youth and families throughout America would have made Lauren Ziegler very proud,” said Jay DeWispelaere, President/CEO of PRIDE Youth Programs, about the presentation of this year’s award.

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.

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