Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 551

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29, CHAPTER 79, DELAWARE CODE, RELATING TO DRUG CONTROL AND MAKING SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR.

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Delaware has appointed a Drug Control Committee for the purpose of considering various aspects of the problem of drug abuse throughout this State; and

WHEREAS, this Committee has made certain recommendations to the Governor including recommendations which require the appropriation of monies by the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Committee has suggested to the Governor that certain of its recommended programs requiring such appropriations receive funding at this session of the General Assembly in order to meet urgent Statewide needs in the fields of education and information, treatment and enforcement, related to the drug abuse problem;

NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Delaware:

Section 1. Title 29, Delaware Code, is hereby amended by redesignating Sections 7921 through 7929 inclusive thereof as Sections 7923 through 7931 inclusive.

Section 2. Chapter 79, Title 29, Delaware Code, is further amended by adding thereto a new Section, designated as Section 7921, to read as follows:

§ 7921. Purpose; Drug Control Coordinator; duties; powers

(a) The purpose of this Section and of Section 7922 is (1) to develop programs for the prevention and control of drug abuse and for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers; and (2) to coordinate programs, both public and private, to deal with the drug abuse problem.

(b) The Secretary of Health and Social Services shall appoint, with the written approval of the Governor, a Drug Control Coordinator who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Drug Control Coordinator shall have administrative experience and experience in the field of drug abuse, and at least a Master's Degree or equivalent experience. The Secretary shall establish the salary of the Coordinator, which shall not be less than $16,000 per year, but not more than $22,000.

(c) The Drug Control Coordinator shall:

(1) coordinator all drug control efforts of State agencies;

(2) coordinate the State's efforts with those of local and municipal governments within the State and with those of other states and the Federal government;

(3) assist private agencies and community organizations by providing needed coordination and information;

(4) plan and supervise public informational programs and assist with drug control programs in the public schools;

(5) assist with the formulation and coordination of programs relating to the early diagnosis treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers;

(0) assist with the coordination of enforcement efforts by State, County and local enforcement officers;

(1) assist with the formulation and coordination of training and informational programs for State employees and others;

(2) report on his activities on a regular basis to the Secretary of Health and Social Services;

(3) coordinate the State's efforts to obtain Federal funds available for drug control problems;

(4) coordinate the overall State efforts with respect to the treatment, prevention and control of the use of dangerous drugs and narcotics.

(d) The Drug Control Coordinator may:

(1) employ personnel and purchase equipment and supplies as shall be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Section;

(2) require the cooperation of all other agencies in the Executive Branch of the State Government concerned with drug control problems.

Section 3. Chapter 79, Title 29, Delaware Code, is further amended by adding thereto a new Section, designated as Section 7922, to read as follows:

§7922. Council on Drug Control; duties; compensation

(a) A Council on Drug Control is created to consist of five residents of the State appointed by the Governor and serving at his pleasure. The members shall elect a Chairman and a Secretary.

(b) The Council on Drug Control shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of Health and Social Services and the Drug Control Coordinator and shall consider matters relating to the creation of programs for the prevention and control of drug abuse and for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers.

(c) Each member of the Council shall serve without compensation, except that he may be reimbursed for his reasonable and necessary expenses incident to his duties.

Section 4. The sum of $190,000 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health and Social Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, for the following uses and purposes and allocated as follows:

(1) Salaries for the Drug Control Coordinator and Staff and operating Expenses — $40,000;

(2) Establishment of a telephone answering service staffed principally by trained volunteers, to answer non-technical questions relating to drugs and to provide referral service—$15,000;

(3) Establishment of a Drug Counselors Unit to provide technical information and support on all aspects of the drug control problem — $48,000;

(4) Establishment of Drug Information Centers throughout the State and to provide literature, films and other material relating to drug abuse and to acquire or develop program materials for communication through mass media — $20,000;

(5) Establishment of Drug Abuse Treatment Centers and continuation of existing clinics — $51,000;

(6) Salaries for personnel for Laboratory of Office of Medical Examiner — $16,000.

One appropriation hereunder shall be considered a supplementary appropriation and shall be paid out of funds not otherwise appropriated and any portion thereof which is unexpended or unencumbered as of June 30, 1971, shall revert to the General Fund.

Section 5. The sum of $35,000 is hereby appropriated to the State Highway Department or its successor for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, for the purchase of special equipment necessary to investigate drug violations and police training. This appropriation shall be considered a supplementary appropriation and shall be paid out of funds not otherwise appropriated and any portion thereof which is unexpended or unencumbered as of June 30, 1971, shall revert to the General Fund.

Section 6. The sum of $40,000 is hereby appropriated to the State Board of Education or its successor for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, for the purpose of developing a drug abuse prevention program within the public school system of the State of Delaware. This appropriation shall be considered a supplementary appropriation and shall be paid out of funds not otherwise appropriated and any portion thereof which is unexpended or unencumbered as of June 30, 1971, shall revert to the General Fund.

Approved June 12, 1970.