Special to the Sun
The offices at the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) are especially busy around this time as they prepare for their 68th Annual Celebration. “We all pitch in and switch gears preparing for the annual. It’s hectic but it’s exciting at the same time,” says Executive Director Daisy Carter. “We look forward to the event for most of the year because it’s a chance for us to catch up with our friends in the recovery community and really celebrate everyone’s hard work.” Preparations for the annual celebration begin almost as soon as the previous one ends; it’s never too early.
NCADD is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Ridgeland. NCADD believes in the concept of drug addiction as a treatable disease, rather than a moral failing. They provide educational materials and information that are in line with this belief. The organization serves as a resource for those seeking answers for themselves and/or their loved ones. Their service area includes all of Central Mississippi, and they refer out to treatment and recovery services all over the state. NCADD aspires to make a real difference in the state through partnerships, coalitions, and collaborative projects.
Carter further explains, “The NCADD Annual highlights the impact of prevention, the importance of treatment, and the power of recovery. While we celebrate the success that we have had as an organization in helping others, we also realize that many people still struggle with addiction, and there is more work to be done. By bringing all of these professionals together, we’re constantly evolving our network of support services in the state of Mississippi.”
NCADD’s 68th Annual Celebration will feature College Football Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboy D.D. Lewis as the keynote speaker. Lewis played 13 seasons in the NFL, had 135 consecutive starts, and played in five Super Bowls. He will share his story of how he almost lost it all to addiction following retirement and the fight that it took to overcome his fiercest opponent.
NCADD will also honor Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd with the Bronze Key Award. This award signifies national recognition from NCADD on an affiliate basis. It is presented to an individual or organization that has made an outstanding contribution in the fields of addiction, prevention, and/or recovery. In his career spanning the past two decades, Judge Kidd has been dedicated to serving his community in multiple ways. He served as treasurer and vice president of the Jackson Chapter of the NAACP. He mentors several students in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Jackson, and he has delivered countless speeches in schools and churches in the surrounding area.
NCADD’s 68th Annual Celebration Dinner will be held Thursday November 9, at Table 100 in Flowood, at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and live music. Tickets are $45 per individual, and $80 per couple. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com; just search for “NCADD 68th Annual Celebration Dinner (A Night of Honor).” Tickets can also be purchased at the NCADD office: 875 Northpark Drive, Suite 600, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Phone number: 601-899-5880.
