VOLUNTEERISM 2 get awards for helping those with substance abuse problems

The pair was honored at the Holiday Inn in Boardman.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two people were recently recognized for their volunteerism and work in support of those recovering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Dennis Vitt, a volunteer member of the board of directors of Addiction Programs of Mahoning County, received the Doyle O. Houston Excellence in Service Award from the Mahoning County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board.
Vitt has been instrumental in securing resources to furnish the agency as well as providing technical assistance on financial issues, said David L. Schaffer, the ADAS board's executive director.
Vitt is a branch manager for Farmers National Bank in Poland. APMC provides residential and outpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment services for men, women and children.
Sherri Koonse, chief financial officer of Mahoning County Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime, received the ADAS board's Employee of the Year Award.
Koonse, a six-year employee of the agency, was acknowledged for her work in advancing business practices related to financing treatment services locally.
About agency
TASC provides assessment, case management and drug testing services for drug offenders referred for treatment from any county court.
It also provides an extensive array of services on behalf of all the county's drug courts.
Vitt and Koonse received their awards at the ADAS board's annual holiday luncheon at the Holiday Inn, Boardman, earlier this month.
Lisa Antonini, chief deputy in the county treasurer's office and county Democratic Party chairwoman, also chaired the committee that recommended the two recipients. She said she feels it is important to recognize the efforts of volunteers and employees who help the county's treatment system.
Schaffer explained why the board unanimously agreed to name its service award for Houston, an eight-year board member who served as its president for four years.
"Doyle volunteered hundreds of hours of his personal time supporting operations of the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board and in support of persons struggling to recover from addictive illnesses," Schaffer said.
Houston died in September.
The board also recognized outgoing members Atty. Warren "Bo" Pritchard, Robert W. Rupeka, Judith J. Forrest and Mary "Roby" Lyden.
The ADAS is a division of county government and is responsible for planning, funding and monitoring publicly financed substance abuse treatment and prevention services in Mahoning County. The board of directors consists of 18 volunteer members appointed by both the county commissioners and Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.