Social Work Professor, Catherine Lemieux, Appointed to Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority Board of Directors
09/19/16
Dr. Catherine Lemieux, the Margaret Champagne Womack Professor in Addictive Disorders in the LSU School of Social Work (SSW), was appointed to the Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority (ADRA) Board of Directors this summer.
“I was thrilled to hear the news of my commission by Governor John Bel Edwards,” she said. “…I have already learned a great deal about the role and functions of a regulatory authority. Serving on the ADRA board has exposed me to a new vantage point and a slightly different culture of professional helping.”
Lemieux, who’s research and teaching specializes in the areas of addiction and co-occurring disorders, said serving on the ADRA board has been a long-term goal of hers.
The charge of the ADRA board is to develop and oversee the policies that govern practitioners who are credentialed to provide addiction prevention and counseling services in the state. In addition to establishing and enforcing professional standards in the field of addictions, the ADRA board is a decision-making body that seeks ways to improve the efficiency of its operations, as well as plays a proactive and visible role in examining legislation and resolutions that are pertinent to the health and welfare of Louisiana citizens, especially those suffering from some type of addictive disorder.
Lemieux said she is excited for the opportunity to implement her experiences from the ADRA board into her teachings at LSU. Lemieux plans to bring more policy-perspective into the classroom when she teaches an addictive disorders course next semester.
“My role on the ADRA board will give me an opportunity to use my skills as an advocate and policy practitioner,” she said. “…I know that when most students think of counseling, they do not immediately consider the policy issues that affect practice.”
Lemieux’s service on the ADRA board ends in summer 2019.
“I hope that in three years’ time I will be able to look back and feel confident that I have contributed to decisions that have strengthened the professional workforce and ultimately mitigated the impact of addictive disorders on Louisiana families,” Lemieux said.
Dr. Lemieux is a licensed clinical social worker and holds a PhD in social welfare, as well as a certification by the Academy of Certified Social Workers. For more than 18 years, she served as a clinician and supervisor in a variety of settings with individuals and families affected by substance abuse and has facilitated numerous workshops across the state on empirically-based interventions.
About SSW
The LSU School of Social Work (SSW) aspires to be a leading graduate school of social
work, a vibrant center of intellectual development, a leader in promoting and supporting
diverse communities, and an advocate for an integrated and inclusive model of social
work, all within a learning environment that supports best educational practices.
The Child and Family Studies (CFS) undergraduate degree integrates theory, research,
and practice to focus on child development and family dynamics.
Visit the School of Social Work at socialwork.lsu.edu
About CHSE
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The College is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Leadership and Human Resource Development, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Library and Information Science, the School of Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. These combined schools offer 8 undergraduate degree programs and 18 graduate programs, enrolling more than 1,900 undergraduate and 977 graduate students. The College is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is continually working to improve its programs.
Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education at chse.lsu.edu.