YOUNG AND RESTLESS has been awarded the 4th Annual Sentinel for Health Award for daytime drama for its storyline "Neil's Battle with Alcoholism." The Sentinel for Health Award recognizes achievement in daytime dramas that educate, inform and motivate viewers to make healthy lifestyle choices. The award was presented in a special ceremony held at the Writers Guild of America, West, in Los Angeles.

"It is events like this that really make you feel like the drudgery of putting on an hour show, five days a week is worth it," says Co-Executive Producer/Co-Head Writer Jack Smith, who was on hand to accept the award with Kristoff St. John (Neil). "When you have something like this happen, you really feel like you are doing something good out there."

"Hats off to the writing staff for creating such a detailed account of one man's dive into total and utter despair," adds St. John. "[Y&R Creator, Senior Executive Producer and Executive Story Consultant] Bill Bell has always been known for writing wonderful, topical storylines such as this, and it's nice to see that tradition continues."

Other nominees for the honor included "Organ Donation: Rick Bauer Gets Richard Winslow's Heart" and "Safe Sex: Marina Prepares to Sleep with Ben" from GUIDING LIGHT and "Al's Drug Addiction" from ONE LIFE TO LIVE. This is the second victory for Y&R, which took home the statuette in 2001 for its "Raul's Diabetes" storyline. The awards are sponsored by Hollywood, Health and Society, a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the USC Annenberg School's Norman Lear Center.

"Alcoholism is a subjective disease that affects all of us," adds Smith. "Even if we don't have it, I can't imagine there are very many families in America that don't know somebody who suffers from this disease. And it certainly affects all of us who were driving on roads with people who have the disease. It's far reaching. It's pervasive, and it can hit anyone at all."