Join Together and CASA to Merge,

Join Together and CASA to Merge, CASA

Rosenbloom to be President and CEO,
Califano Continues as Chairman
January 15, 2009

Join Together, a project of the Boston University School of Public Health, will merge into The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA)* at Columbia University. David Rosenbloom, PhD, who founded Join Together in 1991, will become President and CEO of CASA, succeeding Joseph A. Califano, Jr., who founded CASA in 1992 and has been its Chairman and President since then. Califano will continue to serve as CASA chairman.

"CASA is the premier think/action tank in the field with the brightest group of professionals ever assembled under one roof to research and combat substance abuse and addiction. David has the right experience, talent and creativity to enhance this national asset. We are fortunate that he has accepted this challenge," said Califano. "I look forward to working with him."

Califano said that these changes "will greatly strengthen CASA's ability to inform the American people of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives, make CASA's research findings and recommendations widely available to those working on the front lines to prevent and treat substance abuse and addiction, and significantly expand our nationwide advocacy capacity."

"I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to combine and lead the extraordinarily talented and dedicated staffs of CASA and Join Together and to work so closely with Joe Califano, who has been a genuine hero in the fights against tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse for more than 40 years. We both believe that America's health care crisis -- and most other social problems -- can be solved only if there is significant progress in tobacco, alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and recovery. CASA, with Join Together, will have the critical mass to be effective at both the national and local levels," said Rosenbloom.

Rosenbloom will assume his new role at CASA in May. Join Together will continue to operate in Boston as final plans for the merger are completed.

More information:
CASA press release | CASA's website | Rosenbloom's letter to Join Together subscribers

*The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as "CASA") or any of its member organizations with the name of "CASA."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Alex Brumbaugh on 16 Jan 09 10:19 AM EST

Congratulations David! This is a landmark move for the entire field.

Posted by Peter McLenighan on 20 Jan 09 09:34 AM EST

Dear Mr. Rosenbloom: Recently Joint Together has demonstrated a deliberate effort to treat drug policy issues in an 'even handed' manner, based on science and reason. It is my hope that you will bring that same approach to this arrangement, rather than the ideological approach that CASA has demonstrated in the past under Mr. Califano's leadership. This will either increase the credibility of CASA or diminish the credibility of Join Together. I am hopeful.

Posted by Karen on 02 Feb 09 06:27 PM EST

Congratulations on the decision to merge two fine organizations. David Rosenbloom and Joe Califano are committed individuals to improving the quality of life for individuals, friends, and families of those struggling with addiction. I hope you will use your influence to prevent the appointment of Ed Jurith as the Director of ONDCP and identify a candidate who will bring the prestige and knowledge needed to continue educating the public on prevention and treatment issues.

Posted by Robert Moro on 03 Feb 09 02:10 PM EST

I always look forward to email offerings from both of these fine organizations. I hope this merger will allow them to continue to offer helpful research articles and news relating to substance abuse in a more efficient and cost effective manner in these tough economic times.