WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13, 2009 – The nonprofit Partnership for a Drug-Free America is honoring fifteen legislators with the 2009 Guardian Awards, presented on Capitol Hill this week. The Guardian Awards are an annual recognition of legislative leadership on issues related to drug and alcohol abuse. The awards were presented on behalf of the parents, renowned scientists and communications professionals who comprise the organization by Stephen J. Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership.

“We are proud to honor those lawmakers who have shown a personal commitment to making drug and alcohol abuse prevention, intervention and treatment a priority,” said Pasierb. “America’s families—especially those of the more than 8 million teens and young adults who need addiction treatment— will benefit from their efforts to ensure that parents have the information they need to prevent and address abuse, or get help for a child in trouble.”

Honorees from the U.S. Senate are: Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL); Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA); Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO); Senator Lisa Murkowski; (R-AK); Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA).

Honorees from the House of Representatives are: Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC); Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD); Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI); Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA); Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA); Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX); Congressman Mark Souder (R-IN).

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization uniting parents, renowned scientists and communications professionals to help families raise healthy children. The Partnership motivates and equips parents to prevent their children from using drugs and alcohol, intervene when drug and alcohol use is present and find help for family and friends in trouble. The Partnership depends on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and government. Learn more at www.drugfree.org.