THE GOVERNOR
[4 PA. CODE CH. 5]
[Executive Order No. 1995-2]
[28 Pa.B. 471]
Drug Policy Planning Coordination December 19, 1997
Whereas, drug and alcohol abuse are responsible for numerous tragedies of contemporary society, including street crime, organized crime, school dropouts, mental illness, suicide, physical illness, unemployment, family breakups, highway injuries and fatalities; and
Whereas, alcohol-related fatalities are the number one cause of death among teenagers in Pennsylvania and at least 33 percent of all suicides and approximately 50 percent of all child and spouse abuse cases are related to substance abuse; and
Whereas, National and State studies have identified a strong link between drug and alcohol abuse and criminal behavior and at least 50 percent of the prisoners in the Commonwealth's jails and prisons need treatment for drug and alcohol abuse; and
Whereas, drug and alcohol abuse costs Pennsylvania an estimated $5.3 billion annually in lost productivity and absenteeism; and
Whereas, the Congress of the United States has appropriated to the Commonwealth funds under the Federal Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which act encourages each state to develop a comprehensive and coordinated plan to implement a broad-based attack on the problems of drug and alcohol abuse; and
Whereas, the Congress of the United States has provided for increased drug education, treatment, and law enforcement programs in the Omnibus Drug Initiative Act of 1988, P. L. 100-690; and
Whereas, the Congress of the United States has appropriated to the Commonwealth funds under the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, which act supports Federal, State, and community efforts and resources that prevent violence in and around schools by reducing the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; and
Whereas, to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal, State and local efforts to avoid duplication of effort and enhance coordination, the Commonwealth must have a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to combat illegal drug and alcohol use, and such a strategy should combine the elements of prevention, education, treatment, and enforcement; and
Whereas, a coordinated prevention effort for drug use and alcohol abuse is critical for the Commonwealth. The implementation and administration of drug use and alcohol abuse programs can be led more effectively and efficiently by one executive branch agency; and
Whereas, the Governor's Policy Office, which coordinates policy for all executive branch agencies, would be an appropriate entity to coordinate the development of the Commonwealth's drug use and alcohol abuse prevention policy; and
Whereas, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency currently administers drug and violence prevention grant funds provided by the Federal government and would be an appropriate entity to coordinate the implementation and administration of drug use and alcohol abuse prevention efforts.
Now, Therefore, I, Thomas J. Ridge, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do hereby designate the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in conjunction with the Governor's Policy Office as the State coordination agency for administration of Drug Policy Planning Coordination.
Annex A
TITLE 4. ADMINISTRATION
PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
CHAPTER 5. COUNCIL'S AND COMMITTEES
Subchapter KK. DRUG POLICY PLANNING COORDINATION Sec.
5.391. Purpose. 5.392. Coordination. 5.393. Powers and duties of the Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (Commission). 5.394. Relationship to other agencies. § 5.391.
Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to formulate, implement and evaluate Statewide strategies to combat illegal drug use and drug and alcohol abuse in the communities of this Commonwealth. The Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, at the direction of the Governor, is authorized to receive and distribute all Federal funds previously or hereafter designated for drug and alcohol programs to be identified or selected by the Governor, and all categorical funds to be administered by executive branch agencies.
§ 5.392.
Coordination. (a) In developing the Commonwealth's drug use and alcohol abuse prevention policy, the Director of the Governor's Policy Office shall coordinate efforts among the following:
(1) The Secretary of Public Welfare.
(2) The Secretary of Health.
(3) The Secretary of Education.
(4) The Secretary of Labor and Industry.
(5) The Commissioner of Corrections.
(6) The Commissioner of State Police.
(7) The Chairperson and Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (Commission).
(8) The Attorney General.
(b) In the implementation and administration of drug use and alcohol abuse prevention efforts, the Chairperson or Executive Director of the Commission shall coordinate efforts among the following:
(1) The Secretary of Public Welfare.
(2) The Secretary of Health.
(3) The Secretary of Labor and Industry.
(4) The Commissioner of Corrections.
(5) The Commissioner of the State Police.
(6) The Secretary of Education.
(7) The Attorney General.
(c) Other State officials may be invited, from time to time, at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Commission or Director of the Governor's Policy Office, to participate in meetings when the attendance is deemed necessary.
§ 5.393.
Powers and duties of the Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (Commission). The Chairperson shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To implement a Statewide strategy for the prevention and eradication of illegal drug use and drug and alcohol abuse and related problems by:
(i) Maximizing the effectiveness of limited resources for law enforcement, prosecutorial, correctional and related functions.
(ii) Promoting coordination of Federal, State and local efforts to focus on particular drugs of abuse.
(iii) Ensuring that drug and alcohol abuse education efforts are carried out in the schools Statewide and identifying and assisting students at risk of drug and alcohol abuse.
(iv) Promoting coordinated delivery of drug and alcohol abuse treatment and rehabilitation services.
(v) Encouraging integration of drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation service with other human service delivery systems.
(vi) Establishing policies and priorities for the allocation of Federal and State funds to support prevention, education, treatment and enforcement efforts administered by the State departments, boards and commissions.
(vii) Using other means as the Chairperson deems appropriate.
(2) To evaluate existing drug and alcohol abuse prevention, education, treatment, and enforcement programs and strategies and direct appropriate changes and strategies.
(3) To conduct hearings at locations that the Chairperson of the Commission or Director of the Governor's Policy Office shall determine.
§ 5.394.
Relationship to other agencies. (a) Executive branch agencies shall cooperate to the fullest extent with the Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (Commission) and shall provide information needed by the Chairperson in fulfilling his mandate under this subchapter.
(b) The Chairperson of the Commission may designate another executive branch agency as the administering agency for all or a portion of the funds awarded to the Governor under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994 (26 U.S.C.A. 7101--7143).
GovernorFiscal Note: GOV 97-19. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-159. Filed for public inspection January 30, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]
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