What is the GADEC?
In August 2004, Governor Sonny Perdue hosted a Methamphetamine Summit. The summit brought together state agency and community stakeholders to make recommendations to address the rising Meth problem in Georgia, especially as it impacts children. One of the recommendations was to establish a state Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. Judge Peggy Walker from Douglas county took the lead to form the GADEC by working with the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children and the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children was formed.
The target groups for the project are:
- Children, under age 18, who suffer harm or neglect from direct or indirect exposure to illegal drugs or alcohol
- The families of these children
- Communities in Georgia most heavily impacted by drugs
- Georgia’s workplaces
- The public at large
Because of the rapid increase in methamphetamine use and its extreme danger to children, a special emphasis will be placed on children endangered by Methamphetamine. However, the GADEC steering committee recognizes that all drugs are harmful to children and to our communities, therefore all drugs that are impacting Georgia’s children will be addressed by the work of the GADEC.
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The GADEC Mission
The Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children works collaboratively to:
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Partners and Sponsors
The Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children recognizes the groups and individuals (listed below) whose assistance has permitted our organization to serve drug endangered children.
We are grateful for the grants and other forms of support provided by the following agencies:
The Administrative Office of the Courts
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Department of Family and Children Services
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Office of Child Advocate
National Alliance on Mental Illness
GA. Council on Substance Abuse
The work of the Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is conducted by individuals who selflessly give of their time and resources. We thank our Steering Committee members, all the members of our various working groups, as well as their employers, for their dedication to drug endangered children.
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GADEC Executive Committee Members
Peggy Walker
Executive Committee Chair
Judge, Douglas County Juvenile Court
Brian DiNapoli
Public Awareness Chair
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Lora Darrisaw
Data Collection, Evaluation, Research and Protocol Co-Chair
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Neil Kaltenecker
Treatment Committee Chair
Department of Human Resources Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases
Suzanne Nieman
Association County Commissioners of Georgia
Gregg Raduka
Council on Alcohol and Drugs
Brenda Rowe
Prevention Committee Chair
Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health, Office of Prevention Services and Programs
Michelle Staples-Horne
Medical Director
Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
Harry Thornton
Public Affairs Specialist
Drug Enforcement Administration, Atlanta Field Office
Sally Vander Straeten
Data Collection, Evaluation, Research and Protocol Co-Chair
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia
Lisa Godbey Wood
United States Attorney
Southern District of Georgia
Jane Martin
Assistant Director for Grants and Performance Outcomes
Administrative Office of the Courts
Edwin Bell
Program Development Manager
Administrative Office of the Courts
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Staff
Melva T. Steps
Project Director
(404) 463-1229 Fax (404) 651-6449
stepsm@gaaoc.us
Patricia Gavel
Project Assistant
(404) 463-1453 Fax (404) 651-6449
gavelp@gaaoc.us
Raquel Gonzalez
Data Coordinator
(404) 463-1171 Fax (404) 651-6449
gonzaler@gaaoc.us
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