PROFESSIONALS LEARN HOW TO HELP ADDICTS

MONTGOMERY -- A two-day meeting with the potential to help thousands
of people kicked off Sunday at the Montgomery Civic Center.

The International Conference on Addictions brings together medical,
legal and religious professionals to gain expertise on substance abuse.

"I feel like if I help a doctor get healthy, I can help more patients
than I could help by myself," said Dr. Greg Skipper of Montgomery, a
former cardiologist who now runs the state's Physician Health Program.

The Physician Health Program attempts to help doctors who are
struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

The addictions meeting helps attendees identify psychological
disorders related to substance abuse; evaluate the benefits of
intervention as a treatment tool; recognize how to identify, treat,
and refer those who have chemical addictions; and analyze the
relationship between spirituality and addiction.

"We believe these three professions are in the forefront of the battle
(against chemical abuse)," said Judith Butterfield, director of
programs for the Council on Substance Abuse, which is based in
Montgomery. The council is a member of the National Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Butterfield said that clergy, legal and medical professionals are
often the first to confront people struggling with addiction problems.

Still, some professionals who attended the conference emphasized that
chemical addiction sufferers often are found in their own ranks.

"I work with lawyers with alcohol, drug and depression problems, and
part of my job is educating the bar about prevalence, symptoms and
treatment for lawyers suffering from these illnesses," said
Jeanne-Marie Leslie, who is employed by the Alabama State Bar
Association and directs the Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program.

At the addictions conference, internationally renowned speakers
present programs on such topics as "Addiction Medicine," "Access to
Treatment and Managed Care," "Spirituality in Addiction," "Economic
Benefits of Treatment in the Criminal Justice System," and other issues.

The conference is presented by the Council on Substance Abuse, which
operates the substance abuse/crisis advocacy hotline,
1-800-SOBER-90.