Darryl Strawberry to Serve as National Spokesperson; Will Drive Home Prevention Message to Young Sports Fans

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Wednesday, 20 January 1999

Baseball star Darryl Strawberry, who once declared that hitting a home run is easier than staying in recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs, has agreed to serve as the national spokesperson for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD). In this capacity, Strawberry will appear at NCADD functions and travel to NCADD Affiliates around the country for personal speaking engagements as his health and professional schedule permit.

"This role will provide me with an opportunity to give something back to all the people who supported me in my own battle with addiction," said Strawberry. "I want to reach kids with the message that alcohol and other drugs can take over your life no matter who you are and destroy everything that you've ever worked hard for--your talent, your career, your self-respect and even your family."

Young sports fans can identify with Darryl Strawberry," explained NCADD board member Adele C. Smithers, who encouraged the 36-year-old New York Yankee outfielder to assume this important responsibility off the baseball diamond. "Because he has `been there, done that,' they will hear what he has to say. With his enormous name recognition, Strawberry will help NCADD drive home our prevention message stronger than ever before to a much larger audience."

Strawberry, a power hitter with more than 300 home runs who has played for three World Series championship teams, has been in recovery from addiction to alcohol and cocaine since 1995. An alumnus of the Smithers Center for Alcoholism Treatment, Strawberry and his wife, Charisse, reside with their two children in California.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. provides education, information, help and hope in the fight against the chronic and often fatal disease of alcoholism, and other drug addictions. Founded in 1944, NCADD, with its nationwide network of Affiliates, advocates prevention, intervention and treatment and is committed to ridding the disease of its stigma and its sufferers from their denial and shame.

For more information, or to contact National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, see their website at: www.ncadd.org