Governor’s Action Plan to Combat Drug Abuse Unveiled

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Executive Director for Drug Treatment, Prevention and Enforcement Jim McClelland presented Governor Eric J. Holcomb’s strategic approach to attacking the state’s drug epidemic at a meeting of the Commission to Combat Drug Abuse today.

View the entire meeting online at https://indiana.adobeconnect.com/pv16qqtu34ma/.

“This framework and action plan reflect months of partnership with diverse stakeholders and research on Indiana’s drug crisis,” McClelland said. “While much work remains, this plan is a critical first step in meeting Gov. Holcomb’s charge to attack our drug epidemic and its devastating effects on Hoosier lives.”

Key Principles:

• Data Driven: Data will inform all systems and programs created for government, individuals, families and providers—evolving as learning increases and as Indiana’s drug crisis changes.
• Comprehensive and Holistic: Indiana’s approach will be multi-faceted and focused on substance abuse prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery and enforcement.
• Collaborative: The state will align and focus the efforts of multiple state agencies that currently provide substance abuse services and resources. Further, Indiana’s approach makes clear that local communities, state officials, and the federal government must all have a stake in helping overcoming the drug crisis.

Major Strategies:

• Reduce the incidence of substance abuse disorder.
• Reduce additional harm that can result from substance abuse.
• Improve treatment of people with substance abuse disorder.
• Develop and support the ability of the executive director for drug prevention, treatment and enforcement to serve stakeholders—including those with substance abuse disorders, their families, service providers, and units of government.
• Support and enhance substantial community-based collaborations aimed at prevention, treatment and recovery.

The commission also heard reports and presentations by agency leaders and medical experts.

Read Gov. Holcomb’s full strategic approach to addressing substance abuse in Indiana as well as an action plan to guide efforts for the rest of 2017.

The Commission to Combat Drug Abuse was created by the General Assembly in 2016. Governor Holcomb created the new position of executive director for drug treatment, prevention and enforcement by executive order his first day in office. Attacking the drug epidemic is one of Gov. Holcomb’s top priories to take Indiana to the next level.