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1991.11.05 :  Secretary's Distinguished Public Service Award -- Suzanne Somers

Contact:  HHS Press Office (202) 245-6343
November 5, 1991

       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today presented
actress/author Suzanne Somers with the Secretary's Award for
Distinguished Public Service for her efforts to educate the
public about the impact of alcoholism on families.
       "Because of the efforts of Suzanne Somers, millions of
Americans who suffered through similar childhood trauma have
found a measure of relief in knowing that they were not alone,"
Sullivan said in presenting the award.  "Suzanne Somers has
demonstrated outstanding leadership and personal courage in her
work with family alcoholism."
       Secretary Sullivan also presented a Distinguished Public
Service Award to ABC Entertainment for its community service in
airing "Keeping Secrets," a made-for-television movie of Somers'
life as the child of an alcoholic, and for developing and
distributing a viewing guide.  John Sias, president of ABC
Television Network Group, accepted the award on behalf of the
network.
       A public service announcement aired immediately following
the movie featured the HHS National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and
Drug Information 800 number.  Members of the National Coalition
for Children of Alcoholics Education contributed materials and
listed their helpline numbers in the resource materials.
       "Many of the more than 2,000 callers said they had never
told anyone about their family's alcohol problems,"  Sullivan
said.  "And, many asked the volunteers answering the phones to
tell Ms. Somers that her courage had inspired them to reach out
for help."
       Seventy-six million Americans -- about 43 percent of the
U.S. adult population -- have been exposed to alcoholism in the
family.  Almost one in five Americans (18 percent) lived with an
alcoholic growing up.
       The Department of Health and Human Services, through the
Office for Substance Abuse Prevention:
     o    Provides demonstration grants targeted to children of
          alcoholics;
     o    Works in conjunction with the Department of Education
          to reach 5th through 8th graders who live with
          alcoholism through the "Positive Connections for Kids"
          program;
     o    Conducts a public service campaign, "Alcoholism Tends
          to Run in Families...;"
     o    Sponsors technical conferences to bring researchers and
          clinicians together for enhanced communication and
          cooperation;
     o    And, operates the Information Clearinghouse and RADAR
          Network.
     The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
can be reached at 1-800-729-6686.

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