Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse has released its year end report.
The report provides policy and program recommendations that state lawmakers will consider for the upcoming Legislative Session.
The report addressed regional projects completed and comprehensive legislation passed by legislators during last years session.
It also outlines new funding for expansion of substance abuse services awarded in all six regions of the State and speaks to the strategic action plan that has been implemented.
The recommendations in the report included, among others, maintaining existing successful substance abuse programs, continuing efforts to develop community-based after-treatment recovery supports and encouraging on-going efforts of substance abuse prevention coalitions.
The report also includes the implementation of legislation, local ordinances and statewide policy changes related to prevention, early intervention, enforcement, treatment and recovery efforts.
The past years progress of the Advisory Council and Regional Task Forces can be found in detail in the report.
According to recent national data, there was a decrease in prescription drug misuse among those aged 12 years or older in West Virginia for the first year since 2008.