About Us
About Us
Our Vision
The vision of Drug Education Council is the promotion of well-informed choices that positively impact the hearts, minds, and lives of individuals and families. By striving to reshape the community narrative surrounding substance use disorder and addiction, we aim to foster a healthier and more supportive environment for all.
Who we are
History
The Drug Education Council’s(DEC) beginnings took place in 1967 when a group of Mobile’s civic leaders and professionals dedicated to the rehabilitation of people suffering from the disease of alcoholism founded the Southwest Alabama Council on Alcoholism agency.
In 1979, they began addressing the need for the prevention of alcohol and other drugs misuse and its treatment program was transferred to the Salvation Army. From there, the agency merged with the Bay Area Regional Council on Alcoholism, and by 1981, they began providing education and prevention programs in Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, and Clarke counties.
In 1986, the name of the agency was officially changed to the Drug Education Council, Inc.
In 1995, the Drug Education Council acquired the assets of the Mobile Bay Area Partnership for Youth, further strengthening its position as the local leader in the delivery of drug education, prevention, and intervention services.
While our mission remains the same, we have expanded the scope of our activities to allow us to reach and help an even greater cross-section of the community.
Join Us
Community
We believe in the power of community. Through engaging, informative and uplifting programs and events, we build stronger individuals that result in healthier communities. From volunteering and donating funds to sharing skills, services and resources, and simply showing up, DEC welcomes support.
From our annual luncheon to golf outings, our events help us ensure that we have the financial ability to provide these critically needed programs and services in each community we serve.
Whether you’re in recovery, need help, or just want to make a difference in your own community, our doors and arms are always open.
Josephine Dix Award
Josephine Carlotta Horton (Jo) Dix was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1907. After graduating from Barton Academy, she attended LSU and then studied medicine in New York. In 1929 she returned to Mobile and took a job at the Mobile Infirmary.
In the early 1930’s she fell in love with and married Oliver Dix. They had two daughters, Joan Smith and Suzanne Cleveland.
In 1951 Jo started on the road to recovery. She spent a lot of time at the AA General Service Office in New York with Bill W. and many other people who influenced the early years of Alcoholics Anonymous.
For many years, Jo worked for Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Mobile. In 1966, she was on the founding committee of what is now called the Drug Education Council. They opened the first residential program in south Alabama to treat alcoholism and other drug addictions. Through her work at the Council, Jo helped countless individuals and families suffering from addiction, and continued to support recovery efforts until her death in 1994.
Each year at the Gulf Coast Conference on Addiction and Recovery, the Josephine Dix Award is presented by the DEC to honor someone who has made significant contributions to the field of addiction treatment and recovery. Recipients of this award have demonstrated their commitment and passion for helping people find help and hope, and represent the spirit of the work that Jo Dix did in her remarkable life.
2024 Josephine Dix Award Winner:
San & Cathy Clifton
We are honored to present the 2024 Josephine H. Dix Award to San & Cathy Clifton who have owned and operated Relapse Prevention Counseling in Mobile for over 19 years. Together they work tirelessly and passionately to help their clients recover. They offer individual therapy, marital & couples therapy, family and group counseling, as well as a unique outpatient relapse prevention program. They also provide aftercare, work with numerous professionals and collaborate with licensing boards, as well as monitoring programs (including APHP, ALAP, AL Board of Nursing and AL Pharmacy Wellness Program).
Cathy has over 35 years of counseling experience in mental health, SUD and dual diagnosis. She is an LPC and Gorski-trained/Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist. San has 25 years consistent sobriety and Cathy has 27 years.
Cathy combines her many years of counseling experience using numerous counseling modalities with her Gorski training and long-term recovery, as well as Spirituality (and common sense) to provide the best possible outcomes for their clients.
2023
Annual Report
Drug Education Council’s 2023 annual report is now available for download.
