Dear credentialed professionals & other stakeholders:
The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA), the affiliate board of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) in Georgia, has appointed a new standing committee of the Board of Directors, the Social Justice Committee, to ensure the ADACBGA's commitment to social justice remains a top priority as we wind down an unprecedented year and look to 2021.
In light of this unprecedented year of civil unrest and concerning racial tensions, the ADACBGA also issues the following position statement from the Board of Directors:
"The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA) unequivocally and without any reservation acknowledges the undisputed fact that African Americans and other people of color have experienced systematic and institutionalized racism and prejudice over the last 400 years. The ADACBGA is fully aware of racial injustices and how they continue to negatively impact people, institutions, and society as a whole. Currently, we are aware that this world, our country, and our communities are in the midst of critical and uncertain times. Together we can take an active role in rebuilding and transforming communities to create a society that ensures safety, health, and equality for all of its citizens.
The ADACBGA is committed to continuing the conversation on equality and racism in the State of Georgia and the United States of America. Our diverse Board of Directors is committed to continuing the fight against racism. The ADACBGA Board of Directors stands for the equality of all people without regard to race, age, gender, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or socioeconomic background. The ADACBGA calls on all of our certified professionals and other stakeholders to stand in solidarity with communities of color, nationally and internationally.
The ADACBGA seeks to move beyond the pain of racism, silence, anger, and violence by advocating for peaceful dialogue that educates and strengthens the bond of equality for all people. As we continue to grow and evolve in our work toward a more equitable future, let us stand steadfast and united in our commitment toward making today a better tomorrow. The ADACBGA does not condone any form of racism, and we will continue to stand with our African American brothers and sisters - and other people of color - as we move forward in ways that strive for the equality of all."
The newly appointed Social Justice Committee is developing a webinar series that will begin in January of 2021 aimed at facilitating more professional education around these issues. These webinars will grant ADACBGA continuing education (CE) credits. Please look for an email blast with the webinar details in the coming weeks.
Additionally, as we continue to update and revise our new website, we will also be adding a new "Social Justice" section to the website specifically to highlight this area as a priority for the ADACBGA.
We trust that you are staying safe & well during the unprecedented pandemic caused by COVID-19, and we look forward to our continued growth together throughout these remaining weeks of 2020 and into 2021.
With best regards,
