NH INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS HONORED AT RECOGNITION AWARDS

Last week New Futures presented Recognition Awards to nine deserving recipients. Every year, New Futures honors those who have made outstanding contributions toward promoting progressive alcohol and other drug policies in New Hampshire. The incredible achievements of these individuals and groups were acknowledged and celebrated at New Futures’ annual Recognition Event on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Concord City Auditorium.

The following awards were presented at the Recognition Event: Advocacy in Action (Individual and Group), Youth in Action, Tom Fox Award for Excellence, Tom Fox Scholarship for Prevention, Tom Fox Scholarship for Treatment, Legislator of the Year, Executive Director and Media Excellence.

The Advocacy in Action Individual Award was presented to Dr. Karen Simone, director of Northern New England Poison Control Center, for her advocacy on SB 286, legislation that creates a prescription monitoring program in New Hampshire. The Advocacy in Action Group Award was presented to the New Hampshire Nurses also for their work on SB 286. Without the commitment, leadership and advocacy of Simone and the nurses, New Hampshire could’ve been the last state to establish a prescription monitoring program.

The Youth in Action Award was presented to the Franklin Youth Initiative, for the group’s outstanding advocacy in opposition to HB 1526, a bill that would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. FYI’s legislative testimony made a significant impact on members of the legislature.

The Tom Fox Excellence Award was presented to Linda Lee King for her sustained leadership, excellence and exemplary contributions to the field of alcohol and other drug addiction in New Hampshire.

The Tom Fox Scholarship for Prevention was presented to Gary Steinbach for his unwavering commitment to prevention work in the North Country, more specifically his work with area youth and the Greater Carroll County Prevention Coalition.

The Tom Fox Scholarship for Treatment was presented to Stephanie Savard, vice president of Families in Transition, for her delivery of alcohol and other drug treatment services, namely her role in developing FIT centers that address co-occuring disorders.

The Legislator of the Year Award was presented to Sen. Jeb Bradley for his sponsorship of SB 286. He helped garner bi-partisan support and momentum that resulted in the passage of a bill that had been introduced and killed in the past.

The Executive Director’s Award was presented to Kelley Hobbs for her work in advancing New Futures’ mission, vision and values during her time as Executive Director of the New Hampshire Provider’s Association.

The inaugural Excellence in Media Award was presented to Joseph Cote, reporter at the Nashua Telegraph, for his series and ongoing reporting on prescription drug abuse in New Hampshire.