US State Department Brings Foreign Journalists to Hear About Drug Prevention Efforts in Georgia

/PRNewswire/ -- On July 17 members of the US State Department's Washington Foreign Press Center brought 10 foreign journalists to The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, a drug prevention agency in Atlanta. The purpose of their visit was to hear about Georgia's efforts to reduce drug demand by preventing it.

The journalists, from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Haiti, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, came to discuss how the US is working in conjunction with other governments in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to combat drug use, and how prevention can be a part of that effort. The goal of the tour is for the journalists to write/broadcast stories about what the US is doing, in cooperation with their countries, about these important issues.

The journalists are particularly concerned because, as Secretary Hillary Clinton has noted, the great demand for illegal drugs in the United States contributes to the issues Mexico and Central America have in regard to supply. As she stated during a recent trip to Mexico, "We have made a commitment to assist the Government of Mexico in its struggle against the drug traffickers, and we have accepted that this is a co-responsibility. We know very well that the drug traffickers are motivated by the demand for illegal drugs in the United States."

Chuck Wade, the Council's President & CEO stated that, "The US is 4% of the world's population but consumes 66% of the world's illegal drugs."

"Our 'demand' problem causes much of their 'supply' problem," stated Dr. Gregg Raduka, Director of Prevention/Intervention with The Council.

The journalists were very interested in hearing about The Council on Alcohol and Drugs' prevention programs such as Drugs Don't Work in Georgia which certifies drug-free workplaces, the Georgia Underage Drinking Prevention Initiative, and Middle After School Prevention Programming, a comprehensive program for 10-15 year olds which includes drug prevention. These programs are funded primarily by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Prevention Services and Programs, and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

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Lt. Governor Cagle Appoints Rincon's Chap Bennett to Regional Planning Council

The office of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle announced Chap Bennett has been appointed to serve on the Council of Regional Commissions serving the Effingham County area beginning next month. The Council will serve as the primary strategic entity for land use, environmental, transportation, and historic preservation planning in their designated region.

"Chap has been an invaluable asset to the Effingham community's economic development over the years and I am extremely grateful for him to serve my office in this important role," said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen vision for the region's future growth that will undoubtedly benefit the area and our state."

Bennett currently serves as The Coastal Bank’s Effingham County Market President where he oversees the bank’s system-wide commercial real estate portfolio and manages business development projects in the county. His professional accomplishments include serving as Chairman of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, president of the Effingham Chamber of Commerce, division chair of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia, and contributor to the Effingham County Hospital Board of Directors. He was also named by Savannah Business Report one of the region’s “40 Under 40.”

Bennett has given much of his time to volunteer work and community service as a member of the Homebuilder’s Association, Rincon Lion’s Club and Springfield United Methodist Church.

Bennett, a native of Thomson, GA, holds degrees from Georgia Southern University and the University Of Georgia School Of Banking. He and his wife Bobbi Jo currently live in Rincon with their three children.

Bennett will begin his two-year Council term beginning July 1. The Council was enacted by the General Assembly passing House Bill 1216 in 2008. The Council will be the official regional planning and development organization for the local governments and citizens in its designated region. The Council will provide policy direction for the area’s short and long-term comprehensive planning and will serve as liaison between its regional communities and the state government.

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