James A. Pitts, M.A. has been involved in the alcohol and other drugs field for over 23 years and prior to that worked in human services establishing special programs for youth in his home state of Detroit, Michigan USA.

James came to Australia in 1981 to assist with the transition of the Odyssey House program in Melbourne and has been a Director of the Odyssey House program since 1984.

James has been involved with developing the Odyssey House program from a unique focus of residential rehabilitation into the multi-service delivery organization it is today.  James has given his time to promote the alcohol and other drugs field through his participation on the boards of the Network and Other Drugs Agencies; The Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association as a board member and founding member; as a member of the Alcohol and Other Drug Councils of Australia Treatment Reference Group; the Co-Facilitator for the NSW Drug Summit Rehabilitation and Treatment Services Reference Group; and most recently as a member of the National Co-morbidity Reference Group for the Department of Health and Aged Care.