NEW YORK, May 3, 2006 – The Partnership for a Drug-Free America® is proud to announce Marcia Lee Taylor has joined the organization as vice president and director of government affairs.

In her new role, Taylor will be responsible for advancing the Partnership’s mission to reduce illicit drug use in America by building collaborative relationships with government agencies and representatives, especially at the federal level. She will serve as the Partnership’s liaison of federal government affairs – specifically to members of Congress, their staff members and officials heading up various federal agencies that address the substance abuse issue. Internally, Taylor will work with Partnership staff to coordinate the delivery of commitments made to branches of government.

“Marcia is one of the smartest, sharpest and most articulate voices on the drug issue in Washington,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of the Partnership. “She will add significant strength to the Partnership’s already successful work. Over the past four years teen drug use has declined an astounding 19 percent, but we cannot rest as our national campaigns to combat methamphetamine and prevent the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse remain urgent priorities.”

“The Partnership does such important work and enjoys a stellar reputation nationwide for its efforts to reduce drug use in America.” said Taylor. “I’m thrilled and honored to be joining the Partnership’s team and I look forward to the opportunity to educate policymakers on emerging drug threats and helping to shape federal drug policy.”

Prior to joining the Partnership, Taylor was senior advisor for drug policy and research for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs and the democratic staff director of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. She has drafted a number of enacted laws including the Drug Addiction Treatment Act; the Anabolic Steroid Control Act; the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act; the Drug Abuse Education, Prevention and Treatment Act; and the reauthorization of the Drug-Free Communities Program. Taylor has worked for former Secretary of Health Education and Welfare Joseph Califano at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and for former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York. She is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and received a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University. She and her husband Jeff live in Washington, D.C.