26:2BB-4. Authority, powers of council

The Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is authorized and empowered to:

a. Review and coordinate all State departments' efforts in regard to the planning and provision of treatment, prevention, research, evaluation, and education services for, and public awareness of, alcoholism and drug abuse;

b. Prepare by July 1 of each year, the State government component of the Comprehensive Statewide Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Master Plan for the treatment, prevention, research, evaluation, education and public awareness of alcoholism and drug abuse in this State, which plan shall include an emphasis on prevention, community awareness, and family and youth services;

c. Review each County Annual Alliance Plan and the recommendations of the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in the Department of Health for awarding the Alliance grants and, by October 1 of each year, return the plan to the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse with the council's proposed recommendations for awarding Alliance grants;

d. Submit to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1 of each year the Comprehensive Statewide Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Master Plan which shall include recommended appropriate allocations to State departments, local governments and local agencies and service providers of all State and federal funds for the treatment, prevention, research, evaluation, education and public awareness of alcoholism and drug abuse in accordance with the regular budget cycle, and shall incorporate and unify all State, county, local and private alcohol and drug abuse initiatives;

e. Distribute grants, upon the recommendation of the executive director of the council, by August 1 of each year to counties and municipalities for alcohol and drug abuse programs established under the Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse;

f. Evaluate the existing funding mechanisms for alcoholism and drug abuse services and recommend to the Governor and the Legislature any changes which may improve the coordination of services to citizens in this State;

g. Encourage the development or expansion of employee assistance programs for employees in both government and the private sector;

h. Evaluate the need for, and feasibility of, including other addictions, such as smoking and gambling, within the scope and responsibility of the council;

i. Collect from any State, county, local governmental entity or any other appropriate source data, reports, statistics or other materials which are necessary to carry out the council's functions; and

j. Pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.

The council shall not accept or receive moneys from any source other than moneys deposited in, and appropriated from, the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund" established pursuant to N.J.S.2C:35-15 and any moneys appropriated by law for operating expenses of the council or appropriated pursuant to section 19 of P.L.1989, c.51.

L. 1989, c. 51, s. 4.