For Immediate Release
November 6, 2007
Contact: Katrina Norfleet
301-587-1600
media@mayatech.com
Renowned Substance Abuse and HIV-AIDS Expert Receives The MayaTech Corporation Public Health Leadership Award
Beny J. Primm, M.D., one of the world's leading substance abuse experts, was honored with The MayaTech Corporation Public Health Leadership Award for his outstanding service, commitment, and achievements in the public health arena. Dr. Primm, who received the award at a special ceremony held during the 137th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Public Health Association (APHA), is the first to hold the distinction.
"Beny is a true pioneer in the public health community and has been instrumental in the fight against HIV/AIDS and substance abuse in America," said Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (Emeritus), executive director of the APHA. "I am pleased that my friend and colleague is being recognized for his longstanding commitment and service to underserved communities."
The MayaTech Corporation's Public Health Leadership Award recognizes a public health professional, lay person, organization, or government agency that has exhibited a sustained commitment to the elimination of preventable death and disease for the community at large. Dr. Primm has been the executive director of the Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation (A.R.T.C.) since its inception in 1969. His body of work has distinctively integrated education and public awareness within local communities on the impact of addiction and HIV prevention and continues to prompt public policy debate.
"I am honored to have been chosen to receive this prestigious award and I accept it as a symbol of hope on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of victims who are living with HIV/AIDS and substance abuse each day," said Dr. Primm. "We need more caring individuals such as those at The MayaTech Corporation who work tirelessly to address the impact of these dreaded diseases on our society."
As a unique aspect of The MayaTech Corporation Public Health Leadership Award, the recipient extends recognition to an organization that continues the work of public health at a community level. The MayaTech Corporation presents the selected community-based organization with a $5,000 grant to continue their initiatives. This year, Dr. Primm designated All Healers Mental Health Alliance (AHMHA) to be the philanthropic recipient of the monetary award. AHMHA was established after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast area. Several mental health organizations mobilized and created the organization, now a local and national network of culturally competent mental health professional allied associates.
Prior to the award presentation, The MayaTech Corporation held a special video taping, "A Conversation with Dr. Primm" as part of a public dialogue. "A Conversation with Dr. Primm," hosted by noted journalist Doris McMillon, focused on the merits of the Supreme Court examining the mandatory drug sentencing laws that discriminate against African Americans and other communities of color. The forum focused on the Supreme Court's deliberation of the disparity between prison sentencing for crack cocaine and powder cocaine and the impact of drugs on the nation's public health. The devastating social, political, economic, and health effects of drugs on African American families and other communities of color was explored as well as treatment options for resolving the problems and making the community whole again.
"Crack and powdered cocaine laws are public health enemy #1 and must be attacked directly and with conviction," said Dr. Primm. "Enforcing disproportionate sentencing laws that target African Americans and other communities of color is destructive and leaves kids fatherless, paralyzes the ability to make a decent living, and destroys the fabric and continuity of the African American family."
ABOUT MAYATECH: The MayaTech Corporation is a consulting and technical services company that provides high quality, customer-focused applied research, policy, and evaluation; conference and logistics management; information and communications systems support; technical assistance; and international development services to public and private sector clients. MayaTech provides comprehensive services with specialized expertise in a number of public health areas including substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and minority populations. For more information, visit www.mayatech.org.
