DRUG COUNSELOR FACES COKE POSSESSION CHARGE

BRENTWOOD - A longtime New Hampshire drug and alcohol abuse counselor
who helped many troubled teens and adults is facing a drug charge of
his own.

Floyd Jozitis, 56, of Dover was arrested April 23 after he failed to
show up at his arraignment in March on a cocaine possession charge.

State police first arrested Jozitis on Nov. 30 in Seabrook after he
was allegedly found with cocaine. He was indicted in early March by a
Rockingham County grand jury and was scheduled to be arraigned on
March 27.

When he failed to appear at the arraignment, a bench warrant for his
arrest was issued on April 9. North Hampton police discovered the
warrant during a motor vehicle stop on April 23 and he was arrested,
Rockingham County Sheriff's Capt. Mark Peirce said yesterday.

Jozitis has a long history of helping people battling addiction. He
served as director of Odyssey House, now called OdysseyNH, for more
than 20 years. The program offers substance abuse services and
provided the first residential treatment program. Jozitis hasn't
worked for the organization for several years, according to Erik B.
Johannessen, OdysseyNH's chief executive officer.

Jozitis was a court referral officer for the state Department of
Corrections from 1997 to 2006, providing drug and alcohol abuse
counseling to adults.

Jozitis also counseled students at Winnacunnet High School who
struggled with drug and alcohol problems. He worked as a part-time
counselor at the school, but left a few years ago.

Peirce could not confirm his work history, but said he was aware that
Jozitis had been involved in drug and alcohol counseling for many
years.

The amount of cocaine Jozitis allegedly had in his possession wasn't
clear yesterday. Assistant Rockingham County Attorney Bill Pate said
only that he had a "quantity of cocaine."

Jozitis could not be reached for comment.