Jeffrey B. Lane Elected Chair of CASA* Columbia

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia) announced that its board of directors has elected Jeffrey B. Lane Chairman to succeed Founder and Chair Joseph A. Califano, Jr.  Since joining the board last year, Mr. Lane has been co-chair of its investment committee.

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Jeffrey Lane is one of the leaders of New York's financial community and maintains an interest in health care, serving as a director of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Hospital System (which includes Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan) and co-chair of its investment committee. 

"Jeff Lane is the ideal leader for CASA Columbia as it moves to build on its reputation as the premier institution that brings together all the skills needed to research and combat all substance abuse in all sectors of society, and seeks to identify effective ways to prevent and treat this devastating disease and to help children grow up healthy and drug free," said Mr. Califano, the former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare who founded CASA Columbia and has served as its chairman for the past 20 years. 

"I am honored to be elected chair by such an extraordinary board and I look forward to the task," said Mr. Lane.  "I hope to help expand the influence of this unique institution and its superb staff as together we work to help the American people understand how abuse of all substances—tobacco, alcohol, illegal and prescription drugs—is implicated in so many of the nation's problems—health care costs, crime, domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness.  And it's nice to be back at Columbia."

Mr. Lane has enjoyed a distinguished career in the financial field.  His career includes positions as Chairman and CEO of Neuberger Berman, President and Chief Operating Officer of Shearson Lehman, and Vice Chairman of Lehman Brothers and of Travelers Group.  He is a graduate of New York University and holds an MBA from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business.  He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served during the 1960s.  He resides in Manhattan with his wife Nancy.  They have five children and 13 grandchildren. 

Mr. Lane will take office on February 1. Mr. Califano has been elected Chairman Emeritus and, at Mr. Lane's request, will remain on the board.  "I am delighted that Jeff Lane has agreed to be Chair of CASA Columbia and I look forward with enthusiasm to working with him," said Mr. Califano.  

CASA Columbia is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat abuse of all substances—alcohol, nicotine, illegal, prescription and performance enhancing drugs—in all sectors of society. Founded in 1992 by former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia and its staff of some 60 professionals aim to inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives, find out what works in prevention and treatment of this disease, and remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.

CASA Columbia has issued 76 reports and white papers, published three books, conducted demonstration programs focused on children, families and schools in 36 states and Washington, D.C., held 19 conferences, and has been evaluating drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs to determine what works best for what individuals. The most recent CASA Columbia book, How to Raise a Drug Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents by Joseph A. Califano, Jr., a practical, user friendly book of advice and information for parents, is widely available in paperback. For more information visit www.casacolumbia.org.

*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, or any other organizations with the name of "CASA".

SOURCE The National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse