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About Us

Our History

NCADD is the leading advocacy organization in the world addressing alcoholism and drug dependence.  Since its founding in 1949, NCADD of the Central Mississippi Area, Inc. has raised public awareness about addiction throughout Mississippi and increasingly across the southern states.



Our Mission

Our mission is to increase awareness about the devastating effects of alcoholism and drug dependency on the individual, the family, and the community.



Marty Mann, one of the first women to achieve sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, organized the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism (NCEA) in 1944, which later became the National Council on Alcoholism (NCA), and then the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) to address the concern with other drugs.  Mississippi volunteers sought out the recovery community organization by becoming affiliates.

Marty made two important policy decisions when she started NCADD:

  • For NCADD to be a credible agent for changing people’s attitudes and understanding of alcoholism, it would need the involvement and support of the medical-scientific community; and

  • Changing people’s attitudes and understanding meant changing people’s behavior, so NCADD must offer professionally trained counseling services at the local level where people live and need help.

Today, NCADD of the Central MS Area continues to operate on two parallel tracks – the national and community levels. NCADD continues to offer critical recovery support services and provides a powerful network of support for those suffering from alcoholism and addiction — friends and family members alike.

Our Team

Professional headshot of Ashley Smith from NCADD, wearing a black blazer with a white top against a dark backdrop.
Professional headshot of Ashley Smith from NCADD, wearing a black blazer with a white top against a dark backdrop.

Ashley Smith

Executive Director

Professional headshot of Earnest Johnson from NCADD, wearing a suit and striped tie while smiling at the camera.
Professional headshot of Earnest Johnson from NCADD, wearing a suit and striped tie while smiling at the camera.

Earnest Johnson

Prevention Specialist

Professional portrait of Jacob Watters from NCADD, wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and patterned tie.
Professional portrait of Jacob Watters from NCADD, wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and patterned tie.

Jacob Watters

Regional Compliance Coordinator

Professional portrait of Amoni Washington from NCADD, smiling with long dark hair and studio lighting.
Professional portrait of Amoni Washington from NCADD, smiling with long dark hair and studio lighting.

Amoni Washington

Regional Compliance Coordinator

Professional headshot of Yolanda Jones smiling, wearing a navy top with a dark studio background.
Professional headshot of Yolanda Jones smiling, wearing a navy top with a dark studio background.

Yolanda Jones

Program Support Specialist

Become a Board Member

Our Board strives to attract individuals with the spectrum of skills and experience needed to oversee JAMHI operations. 

Board of Directors

Dr. Andrew Clark
Corrie Cockrell Carter
John L. Hawkins
Tamara Williams
Chris Gillard
Dennis Ayers
Steve Burgess
Teresa Renkenberger
Ben Roach
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You Are Not Alone

Whether you are looking for help for yourself, someone you love, or the community you serve, NCADD is here to help you take the next step.

Become a Monthly Supporter

For millions of individuals and family members, alcohol is a source of devastating pain and loss.

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