9/6/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued an Executive Order today that creates six Regional Substance Abuse Task Forces to bring together community members who will share ideas, make recommendations and implement customized plans to address substance abuse in their regions and throughout the state.
"Whether directly or indirectly, substance abuse is an issue that affects us all," said Gov. Tomblin. "It's a personal issue that hurts our families, it's a civic issue that hurts our communities and it threatens our reputation as hard working West Virginians."
Each regional task force will be comprised of representatives from within the local communities. Involvement at the local level is critical to formulating policies to address substance abuse regionally and throughout the state.
"Focusing on this issue from a local level gives any West Virginian who wants to help address this problem and opportunity to do so," Gov. Tomblin said.
In addition to the six task forces, the Executive Order also creates a Substance Abuse Advisory Council that will have representatives from fields including substance abuse prevention; behavioral medicine; law enforcement; child and adolescent psychology; the legal system; residential treatment facilities; the public school system; and health care.
The six Regional Substance Abuse Task Forces will provide the Advisory Council with recommendations regarding innovative solutions to combat substance abuse; advocate for legislative action and support the overarching goals set forth in a Statewide Substance Abuse Strategic Plan, which will be shared with legislators and released in a few weeks.
The collective goal of the regional task forces and the advisory board is to improve the statewide continuum of care for substance abuse, and coordinate efforts to increase both public and private support of substance abuse initiatives.
The Department of Health and Human Resources will provide consultation and support for Advisory Board and the Regional Task Forces, as well as prepare fiscal progress reports to the Governor and both Houses of the Legislature each year.
"We have dedicated staff to be at every regional task force meeting to serve as a resource for information and support as well as to serve as a voice to carry information back to the Advisory Council," said Dr. Michael Lewis, cabinet secretary for the Department of Health and Human Resources.
The Regional Task Forces have established their first meetings to take place by the end of the month. The Advisory Council plans to meet by late October.
For more information visit the
Governor's Website.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
304-558-2000