The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) Honors Carl G. Leukefeld, DSW with the 2003 Knee/Wittman Lifetime Achievement Award 

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Washington--The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is pleased to name Carl G. Leukefeld, DSW, as the recipient of the Knee/Wittman Lifetime Achievement Award for 2003.  The Knee/Wittman Awards recognize individuals who are models of excellence and have made significant contributions in the field of health and mental health.  The Lifetime Achievement Award, in particular, is presented to a professional social worker who has made exemplary contributions in health and mental health practice.

“I feel very honored to be recognized by the social work community,” says Leukefeld. “Receiving this special award, named after two outstanding social workers such as Ruth Knee and Milt Wittman is a true honor and privilege, they continue to be my role models.  As do social workers in direct practice, such as my son and daughter, who are on the front lines every day.” 

Leukefeld has dedicated his career to improving the mental health of individuals who are drug and alcohol dependent, and to finding ways of helping them become self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities.  As Deputy Director of the Division of Clinical Research at the National Institute of Drug Abuse (part of the National Institutes of Health), Leukefeld—one of the first clinicians to identify the link between drug users and HIV/AIDS—was involved in a series of studies, including clinical research on preventing the onset and spread of HIV/AIDS among drug users, their spouses, and their children.

Currently a professor of behavioral science, with joint appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry, Oral Health Sciences, and Social Work at University of Kentucky, Leukefeld is also director of the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, which has 125 staff members and an annual budget of approximately $7 million.  The Center brings together multidisciplinary professionals with interests in drug and alcohol addiction, and is responsible for encouraging scientists and practitioners to develop and carry out research, educational activities, and clinical programs in collaboration with multiple sources within and outside the University.

Leukefeld is also chair of the Department of Behavioral Science—which has a three-fold mission in research, teaching and service—within the College of Medicine at University of Kentucky.  The Department’s faculty carry out research on enhancing the understanding of human behavior related to health and disease, with particular emphasis in the areas of aging, addictions, and cancer.  Additionally, they provide instruction to medical students, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows in medical behavioral science. 

Throughout his career, Leukefeld has been very involved with NASW.  He served as chair of the NASW Commission on Health and Mental Health; a member of the Joint Commission on Inter-professional Affairs; and co-chair of the Committee that established the Knee/Wittman Achievement Awards.  He has taken every opportunity to keep his social work colleagues up to date about research findings and developments in the field of drug abuse and addictions. 

Leukefeld is nationally and internationally known for his outstanding research and policy development accomplishments throughout his career.  His professional life is a remarkable example of dedication to establishing effective policies in research, teaching, and clinical practice in health and mental health.  It is with great pride that the NASW Foundation confers the Lifetime Achievement Award on Dr. Leukefeld.

According to Ruth Knee, ACSW, “Carl is an example of an outstanding contributor to our field.  Never before has someone been recognized for work in substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.  I am thrilled to recognize Carl for his contribution to the health and mental health of our nation.  Congratulations!”

For more information about Carl Leukefeld, DSW or the Knee/Wittman Awards, please contact NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org or 202-336-8228.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 150,000 members.  It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers.  NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through advocacy.