In 2007, I was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to lead California’s alcohol and drug prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts along with problem gambling programs as Director of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP). With an extensive background in the addictions field, I understand the necessity of providing effective programs that will not only benefit those receiving them, but benefit their families and communities too.

ADP is committed to reducing alcohol abuse, drug addiction and problem gambling through prevention, treatment and recovery support services so that Californians may lead healthy and productive lives. Our vision is to have all Californians understand that alcoholism, drug addiction and problem gambling are chronic conditions that can be successfully prevented and treated.

My goal as Director of ADP is that every alcohol and other drug service provider in California should meet standards of care that are higher than what we have in place now. Improving the counselor certification system is a top priority for the department this year. Counselors in the state touch lives and they save lives, yet they do not get the respect they deserve. The field must be professionalized to reduce the stigma associated with alcohol and drugs and strengthen the current counselor certification system. The department has developed a legislative proposal that gives the state greater oversight and stronger tools to assure counselor adherence to ethics and appropriate standards of practice.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in California, particularly among young adults. The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs last year established a national Prescription Drug Task Force to address the emerging health and safety issues related to the increase in prescription drug misuse and abuse. A Summary Report was prepared describing the scope of the problem, current efforts to address it and the populations most affected by prescription drug abuse. The report also contains preliminary recommendations for the state focusing on lack of awareness, the need for training and education, availability of prescription medicine, youth access, and tracking information on prescription drug use. The report is scheduled to be completed this year.

Addiction is viewed today as an acute and chronic condition that requires ongoing maintenance. Through a major initiative called the Continuum of Services System Re-Engineering (COSSR), the department, with the aid of stakeholders, has taken the lead role in moving state prevention and treatment providers to adopt the chronic care view of addiction. Under the chronic care model, clients need both immediate treatment as well as ongoing recovery support services to deal with the chronicity of substance abuse. This year, two counties are testing recovery support services as a new feature in their continuum of care. Recovery support services engage the client in their recovery process and intervene before relapse occurs.

The department launched the California Veteran’s Awareness Initiative last year in response to the unique substance abuse needs that returning veterans face. Many returning veterans are experiencing an increase in substance use, family problems, post traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury. The department, in collaboration with the Department of Veteran Affairs, National Guard and other military and community organizations has developed a “Commitment Plan” to increase awareness of veteran’s alcohol and other drug needs. This year a Web site was launched to provide public access to important resources for veterans. The Commitment Plan also includes training to increase the field’s capabilities on veteran’s issues.

Early in my administration, I created the Office of Women’s and Perinatal Services because I am passionate about women’s treatment issues. Every woman in California should have access to high quality, gender specific and trauma informed alcohol and drug services. Many women drop out of treatment in the first 30 days, so it’s important to me to work with stakeholders to identify the barriers to treatment success, and ways to improve treatment retention rates and outcomes in our treatment system.

The Office of Women’s and Perinatal Services convened a workgroup of experts in women’s treatment who developed core competencies for programs that serve women. The core competencies will be included in treatment standards that are currently in the development stage. We’re also developing “Gold Star” certification for programs that provide a higher level of service for women.

Our department is also focusing on issues that include developing treatment standards for all programs in the state, providing resources for providers to help them in their work with clients, increasing cultural competency among ADP staff, improving outcomes in Proposition 36 and stepping up the department’s commitment to co-occurring disorders. This year, the Office of Problem Gambling will begin treatment services for problem and pathological gamblers.

Development of effective prevention programs at the county level and prevention campaigns targeting methamphetamine addiction and problem gambling highlight key prevention initiatives.

These are just a few of ADP’s key priorities this year, but make sure to check our website for more information on the rest of our programs and new developments. www.adp.ca.gov

You have my pledge that the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs will work to provide the highest quality of care for all Californians.