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1992.03.24 :  Secretary's Award for Excellence in Communication -- "Dear Abby"
 
Contact:  HHS Press Office (202) 245-6343
March 24, 1992

        HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today presented
nationally syndicated columnist Abigail Van Buren with the
Secretary's Award for Excellence in Communication for her
significant impact on public recognition of issues related to
alcohol abuse.
        Ms. Van Buren, who has achieved nationwide fame for her
"Dear Abby" column, accepted the award this evening at an awards
banquet held in conjunction with the Secretary's National
Conference on Alcohol-Related Injuries.  Throughout her 35-year
career, Ms. Van Buren has continually addressed the dangers of
alcohol abuse, especially among teen-agers.
        "Abigail Van Buren has been a leader in the effort to
educate people to the dangers of drinking," Sullivan said.  "Her
replies to readers' letters have time and time again helped
families in crisis deal with the problems associated with alcohol
abuse."
        Secretary Sullivan also presented Ms. Robin Breedon,
programmer and disc jockey for WPGC Radio 95.5, Washington, D.C.,
with the Media Advocacy Award; Dr. Patricia Waller, director of
the Transportation Research Institute at the University of
Michigan, with the Alcohol-Related Injuries Research Award; and
Dr. Octavia Hudson, director of media programs at the Prevention
Resources 
Center of Buffalo State College, with the Conference Planning Award.

        Alcohol often is implicated in the four leading causes of
unintentional death: traffic crashes, falls, drowning, fire and burns. 
Alcohol-related traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among
youth aged 15-24, followed by alcohol-related homicides, suicides and
drowning.

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