Comment (1) of Jenny McGraw on PRM-26-7 (FR Doc # 2011-25784)

I am in support of the proposed rule to amend the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations to include the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders (the Academy) as one of the organizations authorized to certify a substance abuse expert. The Academy was established in 1988 as an international credentialing board designed to uphold the highest standards for treating addictive disorders. It was the first organization to internationally certify addiction specialists. The Academy participated on the National Steering Committee on Addiction Counseling Standards (CSTAT) in a national effort to ensure that various organizations met a cohesive set of standards and competencies in the realm of addiction treatment. In 2010, the Academy received accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). As a student pursuing my masters in social work, I firmly believe that individuals providing treatment services need to be qualified and credentialed. By amending the NRC’s regulations to include the Academy as an authorized organization to certify substance abuse experts, more individuals can become qualified to provide addiction counseling. This would hopefully reduce the number of under qualified care providers and ensure that the clients are receiving the highest level of care. I support the proposed rule for certification of substance abuse experts.