MS Code § 41-30-7 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 41 - Public Health|Chapter 30 - Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Prevention, Control and Treatment|§ 41-30-7. General duties of division

 The division shall have the following duties:   To formulate, develop and implement a statewide plan for the prevention and detection of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and the care, treatment and rehabilitation of alcohol abusers and alcoholics. The division shall also implement the statewide plan through approved public and private treatment facilities including regional and community mental health facilities, local public and private hospitals, halfway houses, and other local entities or facilities presently providing such care, treatment and rehabilitation or which may be suitable for use in providing the same.   To coordinate the efforts and enlist the assistance of all public and private agencies, organizations and individuals interested in the prevention of alcoholism and treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics. The division shall also serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to alcoholism, and shall prepare, publish and disseminate information and educational material concerning the nature and effects of alcohol and the scope of the alcoholism problem in Mississippi.   To foster and encourage regional, local and community plans and programs in the detection and prevention of alcohol abuse and alcoholism and in the treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics. Such programs may be implemented through approved public and private treatment facilities including regional, local or community facilities, and shall be part of or coordinated with the statewide plan.   To cooperate with the governing authority and directors of state hospitals in formulating and implementing the statewide plan so as to utilize facilities at state hospitals only when absolutely necessary.   To cooperate with the state penitentiary board, the federal government, the probation and parole board, and other agencies having law enforcement and corrections responsibilities in establishing and conducting treatment and rehabilitation programs for alcoholics or intoxicated persons who, after conviction, are incarcerated in or on parole from correctional institutions.   To cooperate with all law enforcement authorities, the office of the governor, and conservators of the peace in conducting education, treatment and rehabilitation programs for individuals arrested for alcohol-related offenses involving motor vehicles.   To cooperate with the division of instruction of the state department of education, the University Consortium on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, schools, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other public and private agencies, organizations and individuals in providing educational programs regarding alcohol and alcoholism, and in providing educational materials therefor.   To cooperate with the University Consortium on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in conducting research into the nature and effects of alcohol, the nature and scope of the alcohol abuse problem in Mississippi, the causes of alcoholism, and such other areas as the division deems proper.   To cooperate with the University Consortium on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in providing training for all individuals engaged in the identification, treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics, including the alcohol and drug education specialists of the public schools of this state.   To establish methods for the retention of statistical information by public and private agencies, organizations and individuals regarding medical, psychological and vocational treatment and rehabilitation for alcoholics, alcohol-related criminal violations, the effects of alcohol abuse upon the labor force and economy of this state, and such other areas as the division deems proper.   To assist in the preparation of alcohol-related health, welfare and treatment plans and applications for grants to be submitted by a state or local agency to the federal government pursuant to the requirements of federal law.   To encourage all public and private health, hospitalization, sickness and disability insurance programs to include coverage for alcoholism.   To encourage and assist businesses and industries in formulating and implementing alcohol abuse identification and rehabilitation programs.   To serve as the single state agency and alcoholism authority of the State of Mississippi pursuant to the provisions of the Community Mental Health Centers Amendments of 1968 (PL 90-574) and 1970 (PL 91-211) and the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (PL 91-616).