65-4007. Duties of secretary. (a) The duties of the secretary shall be to:

(1) Develop, encourage and foster statewide, regional and local plans and programs for the prevention and treatment of persons with alcohol or other drug addiction in cooperation with public and private agencies, organizations and individuals and provide technical assistance and consultation services for these purposes;

(2) coordinate the efforts and enlist the assistance of all interested public and private agencies, organizations and individuals in the prevention and treatment of persons with alcohol and other drug addiction;

(3) cooperate with the secretary of corrections and the Kansas adult authority in establishing and conducting programs to provide treatment for persons with alcohol or other drug addiction in or on parole from penal institutions;

(4) cooperate with the department of education, boards of education, schools, police departments, courts and other public and private agencies, organizations and individuals in establishing programs for the prevention and treatment of persons with alcohol and other drug addiction and preparing curriculum materials thereon for use at all levels of education;

(5) prepare, publish, evaluate and disseminate educational material dealing with the nature and effects of alcohol or other drug addiction;

(6) develop and implement, as an integral part of treatment programs, an educational program for use in the treatment of persons with alcohol or other drug addiction, which program shall include the dissemination of information concerning the nature and effects of alcohol or other drugs;

(7) organize and foster training programs for all persons engaged in treatment of persons with alcohol or other drug addiction;

(8) sponsor and encourage research into the causes and nature of addiction and the treatment of persons with alcohol or other drug addiction and serve as a clearing house for information relating to alcohol or other drug addiction;

(9) specify uniform methods for keeping statistical information by public and private agencies, organizations and individuals and collect and make available relevant statistical information, including number of persons treated, frequency of admission and readmission and frequency, duration and nature of treatment;

(10) advise the governor in the preparation of a comprehensive plan for treatment of persons with alcohol or other drug addiction for inclusion in the state's comprehensive health plan;

(11) review all state health, welfare and treatment plans to be submitted for federal funding under federal legislation and advise the governor on provisions to be included relating to addiction and treatment of persons with alcohol or other drug addiction;

(12) assist in the development of, and cooperate with, alcohol and drug addiction education and treatment programs for employees of state and local governments and businesses and industries in the state;

(13) utilize the support and assistance of interested persons in the community, to encourage persons in alcohol or other drug addiction voluntarily to undergo treatment;

(14) cooperate with the superintendent of the Kansas highway patrol and secretary of transportation in establishing and conducting programs designed to deal with the problem of persons operating motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;

(15) encourage medical care facilities to admit, without discrimination, persons under the influence of alcohol or other drugs and to provide them with adequate and appropriate treatment within their capabilities;

(16) encourage all health and disability insurance programs to include addiction to alcohol or other drugs as a covered illness; and

(17) submit to the governor and the legislature an annual report covering the activities of the Kansas citizens' committee on alcohol and other drug abuse.

(b) The secretary is the state agency responsible for the prevention and treatment of alcohol or other drug addiction for the state of Kansas and may accept and disburse any moneys available from the federal government for such purpose, in accordance with appropriation acts of this state.

History: L. 1972, ch. 241, § 7; L. 1975, ch. 330, § 8; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 67; L. 1978, ch. 256, § 4; L. 1981, ch. 353, § 9; L. 2007, ch. 95, § 4; July 1.