Governor Rowland: Number 11

WHEREAS, drug and alcohol abuse is very costly to society, both individually and corporately; and

WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut has long been committed to fighting substance abuse and helping those who are so afflicted; and

WHEREAS, most recently, I convened a Blue Ribbon Task Force to study how the State can work more effectively in combating substance abuse; and

WHEREAS, the Task Force has recommended the creation of a high-level forum devoted to better coordinating the State's substance abuse programs and efforts:,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN G. ROWLAND, Governor of the State of Connecticut, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1.	That there is hereby created the Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council (hereinafter Council).
2.	That the Council shall consist of (1) the Deputy Commissioner for Addictions, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and a member of the Governor's staff, who shall serve as Co-Chairpersons, (2) the Commissioners of the Departments of Correction, Public Health, Children and Families, Education, Insurance, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Public Safety and Social Services, (3) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Chief State's Attorney, or their designees, (4) Co-Chairpersons of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Substance Abuse, and (5) no more than fifteen (15) persons representing the business, academic, public policy, and addiction service communities, who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at his pleasure.
3.	That the following persons or their designees shall also be invited to serve on the Council: (1) the Co-chairpersons of the Committees on Appropriations, Judiciary and Public Health, and (2) the Chief Court Administrator, Judicial Department,
4.	That the Council shall be staffed by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
5.	That the Council shall meet at least quarterly for the purposes of (1) promoting a coordinated statewide effort to combat drug and alcohol abuse in Connecticut, (2) proposing ways to implement the recommendations of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Substance Abuse (February 1996), and (3) submitting to the Governor an integrated plan for alcohol and drug abuse enforcement, treatment and prevention services. The Co-Chairs of the Council shall determine the frequency with which it shall meet.
6.	That this Order shall take effect immediately.