Melinda Hildebrand Elected To CASA* Columbia Board

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia) announced today that Melinda B. Hildebrand has been elected to its board of directors.

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Hildebrand is vice president of the Hildebrand Foundation, an organization that provides for the poor and needy through faith-based organizations and serves as president of the Memorial Park Conservancy Endowment of Houston, Texas where she is also chairing their Capital Campaign. Hildebrand was appointed to the Houston Parks Board by Mayor Bill White and sits on the board of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the advisory board of LifeHouse in Houston. She is the finance committee chair and parent representative for CHOICES at Episcopal High School in Houston, a program to encourage students to make healthy choices.

"We are delighted to have Mindy Hildebrand join our esteemed board of directors. Mindy is a mother on the front lines raising three children, one in college, one in high school, one in elementary school, and is deeply committed to giving all children the will and skill to make smart, healthy choices in their lives. She is the perfect addition to help counsel CASA Columbia and shape our future," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia's Chairman and Founder.  "She sees the teen world firsthand and appreciates the need to get parents to understand that parental engagement in children's lives is key to raising healthy, drug-free kids."

"Joining the CASA board is an honor. I believe that educating teens and their parents plays a crucial role in the prevention of substance abuse," said Hildebrand. "Teens should have access to information about how substances can undermine their health and future before making the CHOICE to use. I look forward to working with such a distinguished board to help all children make healthy, drug-free choices."

Hildebrand is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and is involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Junior League of Houston and Sous Commandre de Houston.

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.

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*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