Eluterio Blanco Jr. is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor as well as a nationally-certified Master Addiction Counselor (MAC). He has been providing counseling services to individuals with Substance Use Disorders, including adolescents, adults, and special populations since 2002. He is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor and program coordinator of Addiction Studies at the UT Rio Grande Valley School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling. Eluterio earned his PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling and holds professional memberships with the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), and the Texas Association of Addiction Professional (TAAP). His research interests focus professional and community stigma toward persons with substance use disorders and he has co-authored an article on the attitudes of Mexicans Americans towards cannabis use.

Rommel Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). As a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Dr. Johnson through his private practice has provided counseling to a wide range of individuals presenting with substance use and mental health disorders for the past 14 years. Dr. Johnson particularly enjoys working with individuals presenting with behavioral addictions. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling. Dr. Johnson earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and holds professional memberships with the American Counseling Association (ACA), the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), and the Texas Association of Addiction Professional (TAAP). His research interest focuses on bringing awareness about behavioral addictions as well as issues of addiction and substance use in the Black community.

Fidencio Mercado is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the state of Texas. He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and the program coordinator for the Rehabilitation Services program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling. Mr. Mercado earned his master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and is a member of the Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), and the Texas Association of Addiction Professional (TAAP). His research interest focuses on ethical competencies and supervision of addiction counselors and multicultural issues among Latino/a youth and their families.

Cameron Ortega is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counseling (LCDC) as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor board approved supervisor (LPC-S). Ms. Ortega has worked in substance use treatment for 10 years in inpatient and outpatient settings as a clinical supervisor and clinical director. Ms. Ortega is currently a lecturer in the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and teaches in the Bachelors in Addictions Studies Program and Expressive Arts Program. Ms. Ortega is a member National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), and the Texas Association of Addiction Professional (TAAP). Ms. Ortega is also currently on the board of directors for the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP), and on the board of directors for Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) in McAllen, TX. Ms. Ortega’s research interest focuses on attitudes towards harm reduction and clinical supervision for addiction professionals.