PROBATION TO SERVE ON GOVERNOR’S INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND PREVENTION

The Office of the Commissioner of Probation is among the key state agencies that will serve on the Governor's Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention recently re-established by Governor Deval Patrick.

"I look forward to working on the council and with other agencies to address substance abuse and prevention. Substance abuse is a major underlying factor among probationers and those who are court-involved. More than 80 percent of probationers suffer with substance abuse issues," said Commissioner John J. O'Brien.

Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray will serve as the Council chairman. As a council member, Probation joins representatives from a wide range of disciplines. The agencies are as follows but are not limited to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Public Safety; the Secretary of Elder Affairs; the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; the Commissioner of Education; Commissioner of Correction; the Commissioner of Public Health; the Commissioner of Youth Services.

"It is a welcome addition to have membership from Probation as we realize the significant impact that substance abuse has on the individuals you have responsibility for," stated Greg Hughes, Executive Director of the Governor's Interagency Council on Substance Abuse.

The Interagency Council will meet four times throughout the year and is charged with establishing task groups, meetings and forums that address the issue of substance abuse.

Several subcommittees have been established and include the Youth, Adolescent and Family Services Working Group; the Criminal Justice Working Group; and the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Group.