For Immediate Release

Monday, June 29, 2015

Contact: Jessica Sacco (JGPR)
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Spectrum Health CEO Joins Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative’s Board of Directors

GLOUCESTER —  Co-founders Police Chief Leonard Campanello and John Rosenthal are pleased to report the addition of Charles Faris, CEO of Spectrum Health Systems, to the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative’s Board of Directors.

The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the Gloucester Police addiction initiatives, to aid other police departments to implement similar programs, and to foster a dialogue around the unique opportunity for police departments to take direct action against the disease of drug addiction in their communities. Board members work in conjunction with the medical community, science-based recovery programs and police departments to help communities make a difference by saving lives, reducing the number of drug addicts and decreasing the demand for opioid drugs.

“With Spectrum Health Systems as one of our partner treatment centers, bringing Chuck on as a board member is an added benefit for our organization, especially given his expertise as a health care professional,” Chief Campanello said. “I am thankful for his commitment to our cause.”

“We are happy to add Chuck to the P.A.A.R.I. team as he brings a wealth of knowledge in many areas that will certainly be beneficial to our organization,” Rosenthal said. “I look forward to working with him.”

With more than 45 years of experience in the field of addiction treatment, Faris is regarded as one of the most authoritative experts in the administration of behavioral health care programming.

He’s served as Chairman of the Central Massachusetts Substance Abuse Association and President of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association of Massachusetts. He also has extensive experience providing testimony to local, state and federal legislative bodies as well as a wide range of audiences.

Faris is the recipient of the National Nyswander Dole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Methadone Treatment, the Francis O’Brien Award for Leadership in the Field of Substance Abuse, the Worcester Business Journal’s 2012 Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year and most recently awarded the 2015 Visionary Leader for Addictions from the National Council for Behavioral Health.

“I’m pleased to join Chief Campanello in this effort to shine a light on the opioid epidemic and the need to prioritize recovery,” Faris said. “Working with the Chief, John Rosenthal and the rest of the board, we’ll ensure the conversation remains focused on making treatment options accessible to those who seek it.”

View a full list and photographs of the Board of Directors at the organization’s website.

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