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Phoenix House Honors Santa Monica Physician and Addiction Specialist Joe Takamine, MD

Santa Monica, CA, January 25, 2007 – Phoenix House, the nation's leading substance abuse treatment and prevention organization, honored distinguished physician and addiction specialist Joe Takamine, M.D., during a luncheon at Le Merigot Beach Hotel and Spa today. Dr. Takamine was recognized for his lifelong dedication to the field of substance abuse treatment, as well as his professional achievement and years of ongoing commitment to Phoenix House Los Angeles in Venice, California.

"Joe Takamine is one-of-a-kind," said Phoenix Houses of California Executive Director Winnie Wechsler. "His deep commitment to helping those in need, as demonstrated by his more than 20 years of weekly medical care to the residents in our Venice program, is truly extraordinary."

Dr. Takamine has been a physician since 1953, serving as a medical director at various California hospitals in addition to his private practice and hospital staff appointments. He was certified in 1990 by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and is a recognized expert in alcoholism and other drug dependencies. He has served on the boards of numerous organizations and was past chairman of the American Medical Association Task Force on Alcoholism and a member of the American Medical Association Task Force on Drugs. In addition to being honored by Phoenix House, he has been recognized for his service to the community by the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency and has been recipient of the National Drug Abuse Medicine Award.

Flora Gil Krisiloff, Senior Field Deputy for Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, presented a plaque of recognition from the County of Los Angeles and expressed their appreciation for his lifelong service to the community.

Phoenix House Los Angeles, located on the beach in Venice, has touched the lives of thousands of men and women and their families, helping them overcome the problems associated with substance abuse and empowering them with the skills to lead healthy, productive and rewarding lives.

Located at 503 Ocean Front Walk, Phoenix House has enjoyed the support of the local community for more than 21 years. In an effort to give back to the community, residents regularly assist other community organizations and neighbors with food drives, tree planting, neighborhood cleanup projects, and local events. Interested individuals can get involved or find out more information about Phoenix House by contacting Stephanie Horsley at 818-686-3028.

Phoenix House is the nation's largest non-profit substance abuse service providers, with over 100 programs in nine states. More than 1,700 men, women and teens each day receive treatment at 25 Phoenix House programs throughout Southern and Central California. Phoenix House serves Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties with facilities located in Lake View Terrace, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Santa Fe Springs, Encinitas, Monrovia, and Venice.

Attn. Editors: High resolution photos (pictured above as well as others taken at the event) are available upon request.

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(left to right) Flora Gil Krisiloff, Senior Field Deputy for Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, presented Dr. Takamine with a plaque of recognition from the County of Los Angeles, pictured here with Phoenix Houses of California Executive Director Winnie Wechsler.

Many friends and colleagues joined Phoenix House in honoring Joe Takamine, MD at the luncheon. Pictured here are friends (left to right) Alene Kornfeld, Fran Peters, and Denise Fort.

(Left to right) David A. Boska, MD attended the luncheon to honor friend and colleague "Dr. Joe" Takamine for his lifelong service to the community.