Drug Free Marion County Announces
2012 Annual Awards Recipients

Honorees Recognized for Advocacy, Community Service and Lifetime Achievement;

Special Recognition Awards Also Given

One Lifetime Achievement winner, three Advocate honorees and one Community Service recipient were recognized during Drug Free Marion County’s Annual Meeting on March 28 at the Forest Manor Professional Development Center. Two organizations and two individuals also were recognized for their support of Drug Free Marion County.

The Lifetime Achievement honoree is Dr. Alan D. Schmetzer, addiction psychiatrist at Midtown Community Mental Health Center and Indiana University School of Medicine professor emeritus.

The Parent Advocate honorees are Marion Superior Court Judge Bill Nelson and his wife, Kristi. The Youth Advocate is Monique Spells.

The Community Service award recipient is Rev. Charlo Burrell of Fairbanks Hospital.

Recognized for their support of Drug Free Marion County were former board chair Charlotte Pontius of Fairbanks, former board member Marion Superior Court Judge Jose Salinas, the Marion County Public Health Department and the Mary E. Ober Foundation.

“We have much to celebrate about this year’s Annual Award winners and our special honorees,” said Randy Miller, Drug Free Marion County’s executive director. “Their dedication and commitment to ATOD issues and to Drug Free Marion County have had impact not only on our organization, but in the community at large. We celebrate their accomplishments and thank them for being role models and for making a significant and positive difference in the lives of so many youths and adults.”

The Youth Advocate award recognizes individuals under age 21 who stand out as role models regarding the process of ATOD prevention and adults age 21 or over who have strongly supported youth prevention efforts. A Parent Advocate is one whose actions support healthy teen development and prevention of ATOD use.

The Community Service award honors those who have demonstrated exemplary actions or outstanding support for initiatives that address ATOD prevention, treatment or criminal-justice issues. The Lifetime Achievement award honors individuals who, over time, have made their mark in community efforts to prevent or reduce the use of ATOD.

Here is a closer look at each Annual Award recipient:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Over the course of a nearly 35-year career, Dr. Alan D. Schmetzer has made significant contributions to Marion County citizens suffering from problems related to substance abuse. He has made a difference in the lives of patients he has served as both a physician and a medical director, and he has helped countless others through Indiana University and other academic institutions in his roles as educator, researcher, author, mentor, policy maker and administrator.

For decades, Dr. Schmetzer has been a driving and guiding force in advancing the field of addiction treatment. He has helped countless health care professionals learn that paying attention to their patients’ substance use is critical to overall mental and physical health and that the treatment of addictive disorders is actually an important part of the general field of medicine, not a dispensable subspecialty.

Dr. Schmetzer is the founding member of the American Association of Addiction Psychiatry. He has acted as an addictions psychiatry consultant for Fairbanks Hospital and since 1979 has served in a variety of key roles at Midtown Community Mental Health Center. He currently works for Midtown as an addiction psychiatrist. He is also an esteemed professor and lecturer on mental health. He joined the IU School of Medicine staff in 1975 and over his career moved from assistant professor to full professor before eventually retiring, after which he acquired the appointment of professor emeritus. He has been named a fellow for several national organizations and has received countless other honors, including multiple service awards and teaching accolades.

Youth and Parent Advocate Awards

Monique Spells has worked in the community to provide substance abuse and HIV/AIDS counseling to diverse populations. She implemented the “Keepin It REAL (Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave”) program into both mainstream and alternative educational and faith-based settings. The Keepin It REAL curriculum was designed to strengthen the resiliency of urban teens against alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through the use of refusal techniques and conflict resolution methods. Spells understands the importance of addressing ATOD issues in a non-punishing, non-threatening, proactive way. She also believes that the most important thing educators can do is to model high personal, ethical and professional standards.

Bill and Kristi Nelson have courageously shared the story of their son Bryan’s struggle with a prescription-drug addiction and his untimely death. The Nelsons have used their experience to highlight not only the dangers of the growing prescription drug problem both in Indiana and nationally, but the importance of knowing the warning signs of addiction and illicit drug use by young people. The Nelsons have also become advocates for empowering parents to not be afraid to search their children’s rooms or belongings for signs of drug use. The powerful sharing of their personal story has put a human face on drug abuse.

Community Service Award

Rev. Charlo Burrell has more than 13 years of experience working and volunteering in the substance abuse field. He started his career at Fairbanks Hospital, working as an addictions counselor, facilitating clients through the transition from addiction to sobriety. He also educates family and friends on addiction and the recovery process. An ordained outreach minister, Rev. Burrell serves as a spiritual support group leader at his church. He provides guidance and support to ex-inmates and addicts who find it hard to transition back into their communities. Rev. Burrell has volunteered at Pendleton Correctional Facility, Lighthouse Mission and Wheeler Mission.

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