NAADP New Chapter in P. G. County, Maryland

New Chapter in  Prince George’s County, Maryland


National African American Drug Policy
Coalition Charters 

The National African American Drug Policy Coalition (NAADP--http://www.naadpc.org) chartered a new local chapter in Prince George’s County, Maryland recently. The event included a lavish reception at Bowie State University. Several elected officials were on hand to support the new Prince George’s Drug Policy Coalition chapter including: Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair, Tom Dernoga, County Councilmember Tony Knotts, Prince George’s State’s attorney, Glenn Ivey, School Board member, Linda Thornton Thomas, and President of the Maryland Black Mayors Association, Eugene Grant. Rasheim Wright represented Congresswoman Donna Edwards’ office. Judge Horace Dawson and Richard Moody, representing Prince George’s County Public School Superintendent William Hite was in attendance as well.

A number of Bowie State University administrators attended the event, including, President, Dr. Mickey Burnim, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Roosevelt. Dawson and Tammi Thomas, Director of University Relations and Marketing.  Dr. Antoinette Coleman, Dean of Professional Studies at Bowie State University welcomed all of the attendees. Dr. Mickey Burnim, President of Bowie State University gave brief remarks. Senior Judge Arthur Burnett provided background information on the National African American Drug Policy Coalition. 

Judge Arthur Burnett presented the charter to the Prince George’s County chapter interim President, Dr. Valencia Campbell.  Mr. Derrick Coley, representing County Executive Jack Johnson presented a Proclamation to Dr. Campbell recognizing the new chapter. The Proclamation encouraged all citizens to “recognize the importance of this chapter and to increase their awareness and understanding of drug addiction”.

Steering committee members for the new chapter include: Patricia Smoot, Deputy State’s attorney for Prince George’s County, attorney Carolyn Saxon, Carolyn Cason, Director of Addictions, attorney Jesse Clarke, Dr. Antoinette Coleman Dean Bowie State University, Helen Ballard, and Debra Rowe.

The National African American Drug Policy Coalition is a unique collaborative initiative to address the problem of drug abuse in the African American community with each member organization contributing distinct intellectual content, practices and procedures for eradicating the deleterious societal effects of drug abuse.

Further, coalition members, by and through their respective missions, share a common desire for the implementation of policies and practices related to drug abuse that:

•Embrace the protection of the nation's children.
•Reduce crime and improve public safety and order.
•Enhance public health.
•Promote the wise and efficient use of scarce public resources.


2900 Van Ness Street, N.W., Holy Cross Hall Room 400, Washington, D.C. 20008 | Tel: 202.806.8600 | Fax: 202.537.3806
Contact the National African American Drug Policy Coalition

Howard University 
2900 Van Ness Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: 202.806.8600
Fax: 202.537.3806
Email: info@naadpc.org
 The National African American Drug Policy Coalition Center for Drug Abuse Research 

What's New with PGCDPC

Check back often for the latest news and happenings with PGCDPC.

21st Annual CADCA Leadership Forum Updates

We recently attended the 21st Annual CADCA Leadership Forum as a group. In a few days we will add the notes from the meeting...stay tuned.

Events, Workshops and Conferences

PGCDPC: Promoting Health and Justice
We will list future events, workshops and conferences on this blog as they are created. Stay tuned!


PGCDPC   Mission
Our mission is  “to promote drug policies and laws that embrace the public health nature of drug abuse and provide a more effective and humane approach to address the chronic societal problem of drug abuse.”

Meet the Officers of PGCDPC

 Officers of  the Prince George’s County
Drug Policy Coalition, Inc.

 Dr. Valencia Campbell
Valencia Campbell is President of Decision Research, a consulting and research business. She has completed projects for the Baltimore Public School System, National Science Foundation, National Congress of Black Women and the National Council of Negro Women. She has taught sociology courses at Howard University and Bowie State University.

Her many awards include: Governor’s Citation for Work on the Improvement of the Status of Women, Woman of the Year for Southern Prince George’s Business and Professional Women, WHUR Hometown Hero Award, 9to5 National Association of Working Women Awards and a Presidential Appointment to the United Service Organization World Board of Governors from 2006-2008. Valencia holds a Ph.D. and M.A. degree from Howard University and B.A. from Virginia State University.

Decision Research founded by Valencia Campbell, Ph.D in 1996 is an independent research consulting firm.  Decision Research is well qualified to provide research services throughout the educational community.  It’s founder, Valencia Campbell, Ph.D., has more than 15 years of project management experience dealing with urban school systems, teacher organizations and institutions of higher education. 

A cadre of dedicated professionals with senior level experience assists the company in the educational and business community.  Although Decision Research functions autonomously, it can access multidisciplinary professionals and specialized resources from around the country as required.  These professionals bring a diverse set of evaluation skills and cultural perspectives, also.  http://www.decisionresearchofmd.com/index.htm

Linda Thornton Thomas
Linda Thornton Thomas is a 25 year resident of Prince George’s County. She graduated from Coppin State University earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, receiving a Master’s Degree, Administration and Supervision, and Marymount University, receiving a Master’s Degree, Psychology.

Linda Thomas has always enjoyed working with children beginning with her teenage years as a 4-H Leader at the Westmoreland County 4-H Camp, later becoming the Summer Camp Activities Leader. She began her teaching career with the Westmoreland County Public Schools in Virginia as a Seventh Grade teacher. She served as Reading Coordinating Teacher overseeing the Title I budget and the implementation of several reading and language arts programs. 

Mrs. Thomas relocated to Prince George’s County in 1985 and became a Home/Community/School Resource Specialist for Prince George’s County Public Schools. In 1990, she began working as an Education Specialist with the United States Department of Education.  With multiple experiences in curriculum and program development, Mrs. Thomas began a robust career in administration as principal in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.  She now serves as District IV School Board Member for District IV and the Executive Director of two non-profits.

Ronald E. Blakely
Mr. Blakely has served as Deputy Director, White House Initiative Office on Historically Black Colleges and Universities since March 17, 2007.  His responsibilities include evaluating, assessing and improving programs and management systems that support the accomplishment of the goals of the Presidential Executive Order on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

Prior to joining the Initiative, he served as the Department of the Army’s HBCU/MI Program Manager in the Small Business Office. Mr Blakely also served as a Senior EEO Program Manager in the Office of Civil Rights for the US Environmental Protection Agency, developing Affirmative Employment and Special Emphasis Program Initiatives on Minority Employment (African American and Asian Pacific Islander) programs, HBCU research, Summer Research Faculty Fellows, Faculty Exchange, Campus Executive and Equipment Transfer Programs.

Mr. Blakely holds degrees from Tuskegee and Pepperdine, along with a certificate in contracting and procurement from the University of Virginia. He retired from the US Air Force Reserves in 2000.

Cheryle A. Mines, M.S.A., M.P.H.
Cheryle A. Mines has over fifteen years of broad-based executive level management experience in hospital based acute, specialty care and long term care facilities with nonprofit and for profit financial structures, working toward delivery of high quality, cost effective, customer focused health care services.
Ms. Mines has consulted in the areas of long term care service and physician office practice management; and has previously been Assistant Adjunct Professor – University of Maryland University College.

Ms. Mines has also served on boards for the Maryland State Board of Licensed Healthcare Administrators, American Lung Association of Maryland, and Wayne County Easter Seals.  Ms. Mines holds advance degrees in health administration and public health.



PGCDPC  Goals

Our principal goals include:
•  researching model programs for the treatment of substance abuse

•  engaging the faith-based community in projects working with ex-offenders in obtaining housing, job training, counseling and other community services as needed

•  informing  the Maryland General Assembly and other policymakers on the impact of certain drug laws and policies on the minority community residing in Prince George’s County

•  creating a cadre of speakers who can travel to area schools and emphasize the importance of students completing their education

•  serving as an advisory committee to area courts in the community to enhance pretrial diversion and therapeutic sentencing rather than imprisonment..

Undertaking the work of this coalition will make a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of youth in Prince George’s County. We invite you to contact us to discuss how you can get involved in the work of our coalition.  We need your help now!