Suzanne reviews meeting agenda with former Commission Chair Joe Diament (click on photo to enlarge).At the beginning of the 2009-10 session, the Speaker of the House appointed Suzanne for a second term to serve in one of the two House-member seats on the commission. She also serves on the commission's Executive Committee.
After approval by the General Court (NH House and Senate) in 2000, the Governor's Commission on Alcohol & Drug Prevention, Intervention & Treatment began in 2001. It serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor on substance abuse issues in the state and now falls under the umbrella of the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). In the past, the Commission oversaw a small fund the legislature awarded it to help agencies around the state provide prevention and treatment services to our residents with drug and alcohol problems. Now the fund will be included in DHHS's budget.
The duties of the commission include:
--Developing and revising as necessary a statewide plan for:
1. the effective prevention of alcohol and drug abuse, particularly among youth; and
2. a comprehensive system of intervention and treatment for individuals and families
affected by alcohol and drug abuse.
--Promoting collaboration between and among NH government agencies and NH communities to foster the development of effective community-based alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.
--Promoting the development of treatment services to meet the needs of citizens addicted to alcohol or other drugs.
--Identifying unmet needs and identifying the resources required to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug abuse in NH and to make recommendations to the Governor regarding legislation and funding to address such needs.
In the past, provider agencies have made presentations to the Commission to demonstrate both their successes and unmet needs to further provide services, and it has been the task of the Commission to allocate its funds appropriately.
In addition to two members each from the NH House and Senate, members of the Commission include heads or their representatives from various state entities, such as the attorney general's office, the liquor commission, the courts, the departments of education, safety, and health and human services, and juvenile justice.
To read the state plan, developed in 2007 by the commission, click here.