29 January 2002

Deputy Drug Czar Confirmed by U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Andrea Grubb Barthwell to become the chief presidential advisor on drug and alcohol abuse treatment and prevention issues. Barthwell will serve as the deputy director for demand reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Barthwell has extensive experience in substance abuse treatment and has held executive positions at several treatment centers in the state of Illinois. She has also held advisory positions serving the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Senator Paul Wellstone urged Senate approval of her nomination and praised her expertise. The Democratic senator from Minnesota said, "Her contributions will be invaluable as the White House implements the president's addiction treatment expansion initiative, one which could go a long way to help our country effectively deal with the serious domestic drug addiction problem that it faces."

Following is the text of the ONDCP press release:

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

January 28, 2002

Senate Confirms ONDCP Deputy Director for Drug Demand Reduction

Washington, D.C. - The United States Senate confirmed Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D. Friday as the Deputy Director for Demand Reduction of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Dr. Barthwell brings extensive experience in the research, policy, and practice of substance abuse treatment at the federal, state, and local levels.

ONDCP Director John P. Walters said, "Dr. Barthwell understands the devastating impact drug abuse inflicts on our communities and the necessity for a balanced drug policy that is rooted in science. Her advocacy of effective drug treatment for the disadvantaged and her innovative approach to leading-edge prevention and care embody the President's philosophy of compassionate, comprehensive drug policy."

Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) said in a speech on the Senate floor on December 17th, 2001, "Dr. Barthwell is extraordinarily qualified for this position and the Administration would be fortunate to have her expertise readily available as the lead White House advisor on domestic drug and alcohol treatment and prevention issues." Senator Wellstone urged the Senate to confirm Dr. Barthwell quickly, adding, "Her contributions will be invaluable as the White House implements the President's addiction treatment expansion initiative, one which could go a long way to help our country effectively deal with the serious domestic drug addiction problem that it faces."

Prior to joining ONDCP, Dr. Barthwell served as President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, as President of the Encounter Medical Group in Oak Park, Illinois and as President and Executive Vice President of two major drug treatment providers in Chicago, the BRASS Foundation and the Human Resources Development Institute. At the state level, Dr. Barthwell served two terms as President of the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine. Reflecting her commitment to science-based health policy, Dr. Barthwell served on the National Advisory Councils of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and on the Drug Abuse Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Barthwell received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School. She did post-graduate training at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University Medical Center.

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