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US States News, March 9, 2007, Friday

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US States News

March 9, 2007 Friday 3:34 AM EST


HEADLINE: THE SMITHERS INSTITUTE AND SAMUEL BACHARACH WORK WITH HBO ON ADDICTION SERIES

BYLINE: US States News

DATELINE: ITHACA, N.Y.

BODY:

The Cornell University College of Industrial and Labor Relations issued the following news release:

The R. Brinkley Smithers Institute for Alcohol-Related Workplace Studies at Cornell's ILR School and its Director, Samuel B. Bacharach appear in the upcoming HBO series on ADDICTION. The series premieres on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 9pm (EST). This first program of the 14 part series is the one in which Professor Bacharach and the Smithers Institute played a role. An entire schedule of programs is available.

HBO approached the Smithers Institute regarding the project on alcohol and the workplace. As the Smithers Institute has a long-standing relationship with the Steamfitters Local Union 638 in New York City, Professor Bacharach strongly suggested that Donald Perks, who heads the Steamfitters Industry Assistance Program would be a good subject for the workplace segment. HBO asked Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple to explore the crucial role that Member Assistance Programs (MAP) play in addressing alcohol and drug addiction. In this instance, the MAP of the "Steamfitters Local Union 638" - which is the title of the segment appearing in this first show of the series - illustrates the importance of the workplace in helping to manage addiction issues. While Donald Perks is featured in the segment, Professor Bacharach is also interviewed.

In addition to the documentary film, Smithers Institute material on the workplace appears in the HBO-produced web site and companion volume called Addiction.