NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

02/09/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Thomas J. Tiefenwerth, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Northwestern State University has been the first person in Louisiana to earn certification as a Criminal Justice Addictions Professional.

The certification is the result of the efforts of state and national professional associations in substance abuse and criminal justice. Twenty-two states have endorsed the certification and made it available to individuals working with drug abusing individuals. The certification is a voluntary credential establishing a minimum standard of competency in criminal justice and addiction for dealing with those offenders. Standards are met through specific education, job experience and other relevant professional licensure and certification in the health, human services and justice fields.

"Research indicates that alcohol and drug abuse is a factor in most crimes and clearly shows that providing substance abuse treatment is effective in the reduction of criminal recidivism and substance abuse," said Tiefenwerth, who is in his first year on Northwestern's faculty. "The need for personnel with specialized training addressing the compelling need for effective rehabilitative treatment programs and subsequent parole policies dealing with drug abusing offenders has long been recognized."

Tiefenwerth has more than 30 years of criminal justice and corrections experience. He began his professional career in criminal justice in the U.S. Marine Corps, after having attended Military Police and Corrections School in Georgia. He is a retired psychologist and psychotherapist from the Texas Prison System with more than 20 years of clinical-forensic mental health experience, treating a wide variety of convicted felons institutionalized with mental health and mental retardation issues, along with concurrent sex offender and addiction/substance abuse problems.

Tiefenwerth is also a retired professor of psychology, sociology and criminal justice from the Teachers Retirement System of Texas, having taught for many years at several colleges and universities in Texas. He is a Texas State Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Psychologist, a Nationally Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Specialist, a Nationally Certified Correctional Health Professional, as well as possessing several other state, national and international certifications in the forensic mental health and addiction/substance abuse counseling fields.

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