Legislation I have sponsored would help streamline services to individuals in need of drug and alcohol treatment and prevention. House Bill 614, which passed the House already this session, would establish a separate state agency to streamline all of the various drug and alcohol treatment programs available in the Commonwealth. A separate state agency, to be called the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, will better help individuals and their families by having a closer ear to the Governor's Office. If established by state law, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Services would develop a state plan for aspects of drug and alcohol abuse and dependency problems. That state plan would include the coordination of services provided by state agencies, along with additional health and rehabilitation efforts. Local councils would be encouraged to coordinate, and the plan would also call for the development of a model drug and alcohol abuse and dependence control plans for local governments.
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