Order establishes drug, alcohol council

July 23, 2008

Gov. Martin O'Malley signed an executive order yesterday establishing the Maryland Drug and Alcohol Council in an effort to improve the organization and delivery of abuse-prevention and treatment services.

Under the order, the council is charged with facilitating coordination between state and local agencies and care providers, and with creating an overall plan for services while surveying federal and state resources used to fund them. The council also has been asked to work closely with the courts and correctional system.

The council is made up of state Cabinet members, lawmakers, representatives from the judiciary and the governor's appointees, including Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein.

Laura Smitherman