50 Years of Serving New England Substance Use Disorder Professionals
We are pleased to be observing the 50th Anniversary of the Summer School this year! We will be discussing the New England Summer School's rich history, highlights, and its integration with the history of the substance use disorder field.
Tens of thousands of committed people have attended, taught, and helped plan many important programs at the schools. We appreciate the very special sense of community that you have all created that is still an important element of the New England Summer School today.
We would love to hear from you! If you have historical information or pictures to share, please contact Denise Adams at dadams@neias.org.
Remembering Neill Miner
With very heavy hearts, in 2018 we shared some tough news with the New England Institute community. Neill Miner, the former longtime Director of the New England Institute of Addiction Studies, passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2019, surrounded by his family.
Neill directed the New England Institute for 16 years and was really the “founding director” for its second half, leading the Institute into its modern era. After he left the New England Institute, he continued to support NEIAS programs and staff in lots of large and small ways.
Prior to his time at the New England Institute, Neill served as the Director of the Maine Office of Alcoholism and Drug Prevention. He directed AdCare Educational Institute of Maine for many years. Later in his career, he also worked in community prevention. In addition to developing quality continuing education for the workforce, his work led to infrastructure for statewide recovery initiatives, adolescent treatment systems, and other initiatives that will continue to benefit many people.
Neill's impact on our field for over 30 years has been immense. His gifts for identifying opportunities to improve or expand services, combined with his unparalleled work ethic, and a truly collaborative approach brought many important initiatives to fruition.
Neill quietly and humbly led, mentored, and encouraged many people in the field to shine in their roles as trainers, recovery advocates, clinicians, prevention professionals, capacity builders, and organizers. His impact on improving the wellness and recovery of people from New England and beyond is immense, and his kindness was felt by many.
His obituary may be found at:
https://www.khrfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Neill-E-Miner?obId=3185950#/celebrationWall
Neill had a way of bringing out the best in people, and our community’s work will continue to spread those seeds in a beautiful way.