Suzanne reviews meeting agenda with Commission Chair Joe Diament (click on photo to enlarge).The Speaker of the House appointed Suzanne to serve in one of the two House-member seats on the Commission. She was recently invited by Chairman Diament to join the 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.
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.
Each biennium the Commission asks the General Court for funds in the state budget to respond to requests from agencies and other organizations that offer programs for NH residents in the areas of prevention, intervention or treatment. Agencies make presentations to the Commission that demonstrate both their successes and unmet needs to further provide services, and it is 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.