Bobbe McGinley has worked with Problem and Compulsive gamblers since being Certified by the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc. She is Clinical Director, Counselor and Consultant at ACT Counseling and Education. Reach her at 602-569-4328 or visit www.actcounseling.com

Who we are: The state association was formed in 1992 when two Chapters, Southern (Tucson), and Central (Phoenix), joined to establish a statewide organization. AzAADAC is a state affiliate of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. Membership is open to individual substance abuse counselors, corporations, agencies, and all others with an interest in furthering the vision and purposes of the association.

Our Vision: To inspire alcoholism and drug abuse counselors to aid in creating healthier individuals, families, and communities through prevention, intervention, and quality treatment.

Our Purpose: To promote a response by the general public and state leaders to the issues of alcoholism and drug abuse; to better serve those afflicted and their families and to encourage competent and comprehensive alcoholism and drug abuse education programs.

Central Chapter: Established in 1986, general membership meetings are held noon on the third Thursday of every month, at Calvary Treatment and Recovery Center, 720 E. Montebello Ave., Phoenix. Lunch is graciously provided and hosted by Calvary Center. To attend or obtain more information, contact Melanie Wall @ melandmatt@cox.net. Our meetings include an educational presentation, Certificate of Attendance, and networking opportunities.

Central Chapter officers: Bobbe McGinley, President: bobbe4act@aol.com, Melanie Wall (address above), Wendy Miller, Secretary: mandalayvillage@worldnet.att.net, and Carol Gifford, Treasurer: cgifford16@cox.net.We have issued a challenge for all of our regular members to bring a guest, in our membership drive and are providing NAADAC brochures for non-members to join us.

In addition we are considering individuals to present at our lunches, and would like to hear from any of you interested in presenting topics and materials that compliment our mission.

NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, combines the strength and caring of professional counselors all over America. We promote the growth of alcoholism and drug abuse counseling as a profession and serve as a local and national advocate or counselors on issues that affect the profession.

NAADAC was founded in 1972 and is the only national organization that exists to represent more that 15,000 alcoholism and drug abuse counselors. Our counselors work in hospitals, treatment centers, private practice, public and private agencies, and councils on alcoholism and substance abuse. Membership also extends to include individuals in related fields such as medicine, academia, and social work.

On behalf of the Central Chapter Board Members of AzAADAC, we sincerely hope you will RSVP to attend our speaker/lunches, and consider being a presenter in the months to come. Watch for news of the AzAADAC Conference being held in Tucson this year.