[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2199-E2200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO ALAN BRAND: CEO OF NARCO FREEDOM, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2001

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Narco 
Freedom, Inc. and to its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alan Brand, an 
innovative leader and steadfast humanitarian. Narco Freedom, Inc. is a 
Bronx-based organization that for 30 years has provided New Yorkers 
with a network of first-rate drug treatment and health related 
services. I am honored to acknowledge them on their 30th anniversary.
  As CEO of Narco Freedom, Inc., Alan Brand developed a revolutionary 
comprehensive continuum of care that supports the recovery of thousands 
of drug addicts. Programs developed and reared under Mr. Brand's 
leadership not only aid recovery from drug addictions, but foster 
successful daily living skills, social skills, and mental health. Once 
an individual has overcome an addiction with the help of Narco Freedom, 
Inc., he or she will receive continued support through after-addiction 
treatment in order to gain or regain a higher quality of life. These 
addicts' families also receive support from Narco Freedom's extensive 
programs because often they too must rebuild their lives during and 
after recovery. Mr. Brand's dedication to the advancement of substance 
abuse treatment and to providing health services to other groups in 
great need led him to spearhead the only HIV Social Needs managed care 
plan in New York State. Mr. Brand has developed a variety of treatment 
plans that are geared towards specific groups of individuals. Some aid 
women and their children, while others focus on people who are 
suffering from HIV or AIDS in conjunction with a drug abuse problem. 
His foresight and determination allow him to set new standards when 
devising treatment plans.
  For three decades, Narco Freedom, Inc. has helped people get off and 
stay off drugs and supported recovering addicts and their families with 
a network of programs dealing with various mental and physical health 
issues. The majority of Narco Freedom's clients have two major strikes 
against them; they are addicted to drugs and they are poor. People with 
the financial means to undergo the best drug treatment programs are 
often treated with more sympathy than poor addicts who society tends to 
view as ``hopeless.'' Narco Freedom has hope for these individuals and 
instills hope in them via intense programs. Many of these

[[Page E2200]]

programs were engineered or strengthened by the efforts of Mr. Alan 
Brand. However, the devotion and expertise of Narco Freedom's superb 
staff, make the great work that they do possible. A great deal of 
patience and an acute understanding of effective drug treatment have 
made this team so successful.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring Narco Freedom, Inc. 
for 30 years of outstanding service and its CEO, Mr. Alan Brand, for 
expertly guiding this great organization to even more success. I would 
also like to thank the entire Narco Freedom team for saving and 
improving so many lives.

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