Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association
The Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association (ODAPCA), is the Certification Board for all prevention specialist in the state of Oklahoma.
ODAPCA also is the advocacy and administrator for International Certifications and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) for the state. We administrate all IC&RC renewals, reciprocity applications, computer-based examinations and oral examination for those who are seeking or have licensure/certification as a LADC/MH, CADC, CCS, and CPS. ODAPCA as well offers quality Continuing Education accredited for most behavioral health professionals. They host two large conferences in Norman, Oklahoma, one conference in Durant, Oklahoma, and many online and in-person workshops.
Our Vision
To educate, assist, and maintain the integrity of substance abuse counselors and prevention specialist through competency-based testing, evidenced-based training, and nationally-recognized certifications.
Our History
ODAPCA was founded by Lydia Norie in 1978. Lydia’s dedication and passion for helping others helped shape and form the drug and alcohol counseling field as we know it today.
Lydia Norie devoted twenty-three years of her life serving as a volunteer Executive Director for ODAPCA, giving countless hours of her time and boundless energy as well as supplements from her personal income to assist not only ODAPCA but numerous other worthy causes. She diligently worked to establish legislative funding of drug and alcohol programs in Oklahoma and establishing procedures for regulating counselors’ qualifications and testing standards. She was truly unique and outstanding woman not only in Oklahoma but national level as well, serving on the NAADAC board and the IC&RC board.
She was honored numerous of times with the IC&RC highest award for her service, the ACE Award. On September 8th, 1999, Lydia Norie was honored the Proclamation “Lydia Norie Day” and the “Lydia Norie Building” in Moore by Governor Frank Keating and Senator Ben Brown. Lydia Norie later retired in 2001 till her passing on September 10, 2007.
Dual Membership Benefit
ODAPCA members qualify for a free individual membership in NBHAP. To learn more and to sign up, visit here.
Conferences
ODAPCA has hosted conferences in Oklahoma for over 50 years, holding events each April, June, and October. These conferences attract hundreds of professionals in substance use, mental health, and behavioral health from across the state. In addition, ODAPCA offers numerous workshops throughout the year and partners with other organizations to provide free CEUs to professionals statewide.
Save the Date: 2026 ODAPCA Spring Conference
Date: April 16-17,2026
Location: OKANA Resort and Waterpark, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
More Information
For more information about ODAPCA, you can contact them via:
- phone: 405-793-1545
- hours of operation: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Central
- website: www.odapca.org
Elexis Tyler-Wood
Executive Director
email: elexis@odapca.org
Suleyma Chavez Martinez
Executive Assistant
email: sulymtz@odapca.org
A national membership association that provides education and advocacy for those in the behavioral health and addiction treatment industries.
We are the leading and unifying voice of addiction-focused treatment programs.
