FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

MEDIA ADVISORY

Event:   New Hope in San Patrignano

Sponsor: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

When:   Saturday, October 20, 2001
9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Where:   Lincoln East Room (Concourse Level)
The Washington Hilton Hotel
1919 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009
202/483-3

Learn about Europe’s largest live-in drug rehabilitation center in San Patrignano, a therapeutic community in northern Italy. The conference is free and open to the public.

San Patrignano has nearly 1,500 recovering addicts who receive free room, board and vocational training. The center, founded in 1978, boasts a 72 percent success rate. The San Patrignano method offers recovering addicts: free treatment and a marketable skill. Recovering addicts must commit to staying there for three years.

Andrea Muccioli, president and director of San Patrignano, will discuss the unique techniques that have brought the non-profit organization such success, using videos, case studies, and his first-hand experience.

A continental breakfast will be served from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM.

The conference is presented in conjunction with the NIAF’s 26th Anniversary Annual Convention & Gala weekend, October 19 and 20.

Please join us after the conference from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM in the Monroe-East Room on the Concourse Level for another NIAF conference, “A Fresh Look at Today’s Italy.”

To register, contact: Nunzia Hurst at 202/939-3103202/939-3103 or nunzia@niaf.org