NCJ Number
70078
Date Published
1972
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The work of the Virginia Council on Narcotics and Drug Abuse Control is described in its coordination of programs to counter drug abuse throughout the State.
Abstract
In response to a 556 percent increase in drug abuse violations in Virginia between 1960 to 1969, on March 6, 1970, Governor Linwood Holton formed the Council on Narcotics and Drug Abuse Control and charged it with the authority to investigate the scope of all problems relating to narcotics and drug abuse within the State. From surveys conducted in other parts of country, the council concluded that in viable programs to counter drug abuse, the success elements are coordination, management, and strong centralized administration. The council had attempted to implement these elements by establishing drug task forces under each of the State's Regional Planning District Commissions, which represent the political leadership of several counties and cities in a region. Each task force is to be administered by a full-time director responsible to the Planning District Commission and to the executive director of the council at the State level. To date, the council has recognized three drug task forces within the planning districts that represent more than 60 percent of the State's population. In the area of drug education, guidelines to help local school divisions establish policy and procedures for teachers in countering drug abuse and pilot education programs have been established. The council has encouraged broad-based support for all rehabilitation modalities, and efforts have been made to coordinate law enforcement and training.