Department of Human Services. Board of Substance Abuse

Since its creation by the 1970 legislature, the board has had authority to establish programs and policies for discharging the duties of the division. The functions of the Committee on Alcoholism and those of the year-old Board of Drugs were assumed by the newly formed Board of Alcoholism and Drugs. Policy-making authority specified in the 1988 revision of the Social Services Code includes: coordinating with local substance abuse authorities (county commissions); establishing by rule procedures for developing policies which ensure that local substance authorities are given opportunity to comment and provide input on any new policy of the board and on proposed changes in existing policy of the board; and providing a mechanism for review of its existing policy and for consideration of policy changes proposed by local substance authorities.

Seven members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate make up the Board of Substance Abuse. Membership requirements specify that at least one member be a registered pharmacist licensed to practice in Utah, another must be a physician licensed to practice medicine in Utah, and at least one member must be recovered or recovering from substance abuse. Members are appointed to four-year terms and are eligible for one reappointment. None may serve more than two terms. A chairperson is elected from among the members of the board. The board is empowered to adopt bylaws to govern its activities.

The 1988 revision of the Social Services Code transferred the responsibility for appointing the division director from the board to the executive director of the Department of Social Services. The appointment of the division director requires the concurrence of the board.

Upon recommendation of the Drug Abuse Evaluation Committee, formed in 1969, the 38th State Legsilature during the 1970 budget session formed a five-member Board of Drugs as the policy-making body for the newly created Division of Drugs. The Board of Drugs (UTSVH00039-A) was merged with the Committee on Alcoholism (UTSVH00026-A) in 1971 to form the Board of Alcoholism and Drugs, as recommended by Governor Calvin L._Rampton. Four members of the Committee on Alcoholism and three members of the Board of Drugs made up the new seven-man body. Amendments to the Social Services Act in 1988 included changing the name to the Board of Substance Abuse.