Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 20 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (§§ 20-2-101 — 20-86-113) › Subtitle 4 - FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS (§§ 20-56-201 — 20-64-1103) › Chapter 64 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE (§§ 20-64-101 — 20-64-1103) › Subchapter 6 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION GENERALLY (§§ 20-64-601 — 20-64-604) › Section 20-64-602 - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services - Powers and duties

(a)
The Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services shall:
(1)
Coordinate all state and federally funded programs dealing with alcohol and drug abuse in the state;
(2)
Provide information to the public on the problems and needs of alcohol and drug abusers;
(3)
Make evaluations of the effectiveness and efficiency of various agencies and programs relating to alcohol and drug abuse; and
(4)
Exercise all authority not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this subchapter.
(b)
The duties and responsibilities of the division shall include the following:
(1)
Coordinate all state and federally funded programs, services, and activities relating to the prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, education intervention, and training of alcoholics and persons with alcohol and other drug abuse-related problems;
(2)
Develop, administer, and implement a state plan for alcohol abuse and drug abuse prevention as defined in Pub. L. No. 92-255, or its successor, and develop reports on state and local activities in alcohol and drug abuse prevention with recommendations for allocations of resources by refining goals and establishing priorities;
(3)
Sponsor, encourage, and conduct research into the causes, nature, and treatment of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse and serve as a central source of information and data collection regarding alcohol abuse and drug abuse in this state;
(4)
Serve in a liaison capacity between the state and local communities and the United States Government with respect to alcohol abuse and drug abuse programs and, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, enter into agreements with and make commitments on behalf of the State of Arkansas to meet requirements for obtaining federal assistance or grants for partially financing alcohol abuse and drug abuse programs in the state;
(5)
Divide the state into appropriate regions for the purpose of planning and the provision of services;
(6)
As may be deemed necessary, establish district, regional, or other substate advisory councils to help carry out the duties of the division;
(7)
Review, on a continuing basis, existing and proposed state statutes relating to alcohol abuse and drug abuse education, prevention, intervention, treatment rehabilitation, and training and make appropriate recommendations for legislation to the secretary and the General Assembly;
(8)
Review, on a continuing basis, existing and proposed rules, policies, programs, and procedures of state agencies and political subdivisions concerning alcohol and drug abuse and recommend to the appropriate agency or political subdivision changes in or additions to the rules, policies, programs, and procedures;
(9)
Review those budget items proposed by other state agencies which are intended for alcohol or drug abuse prevention, intervention, treatment, education, rehabilitation, and training services and make recommendations to the secretary;
(10)
Determine the training and orientation needs of professionals, paraprofessionals, supervisors, managers, and other persons in the public and private sectors who come in contact with those persons affected directly or indirectly with alcohol or drug abuse problems or who may impact in a preventive way with individuals who might otherwise become dependent upon alcohol or other drugs;
(11)
Assist in the development of programs designed to meet identified needs;
(12)
Provide technical assistance, guidance, consultation, information, and other appropriate services to local programs, local government, district and regional bodies, and state agencies regarding the creation or modification of alcohol or drug abuse programs and procedures;
(13)
Establish and apply criteria for evaluation of:
(A)
The effectiveness of alcohol or drug abuse programs conducted in this state; and
(B)
The accuracy of information contained in and the effectiveness of literature and audiovisual aids prepared to combat alcohol and drug abuse;
(14)
Specify uniform methods for keeping statistical information on all individuals receiving services related to the use or misuse of alcohol and drugs and also develop and maintain a centralized data collection and dissemination system for alcohol and drug abuse programs and activities consistent with federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations;
(15)
Prepare an annual report to coincide with appropriate federal reports to be submitted to the advisory council, the secretary, and the Governor describing activities of the division and the accomplishments and effectiveness of its programs and also prepare special reports as deemed necessary for the advisory council to aid in the fulfillment of its advisory responsibilities;
(16)
Develop policies, plans, and programs sponsoring and encouraging research and prevention activities in this state, especially in the categories of children and youth, women, minorities, senior citizens, and incarcerated persons but not limited to these areas;
(17)
Request, as deemed necessary, reports in sufficient detail for various departments of state government regarding their alcohol or drug abuse program activities;
(18)
Cooperate with and assist and solicit the cooperation and assistance of appropriate state agencies, community mental health centers and clinics, hospitals, doctors, law enforcement officials, courts, ministers, and any and all other public or private agencies or organizations involved in or dedicated to providing services to those persons who have alcohol or drug abuse-related problems;
(19)
Develop and promulgate standards and rules for accrediting, certifying, and licensing alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs and facilities within the state, under the supervision and direction of the secretary, provided that the standards and rules shall not supersede standards and rules promulgated by other state agencies for programs or facilities whose primary mission is not alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation;
(20)
Review the regulations, guidelines, requirements, and procedures of state and federally funded operating agencies in terms of their consistency with state alcohol and drug abuse prevention policies, priorities, procedures, and objectives and assist the agencies in making changes therein as may be appropriate;
(21)
Maintain a liaison with all state and local agencies concerned with drug traffic prevention;
(22)
Conduct annual site visits to all state and federally funded alcohol and drug abuse programs and facilities to determine their compliance with the standards and rules for accrediting, certifying, and licensing as set forth in subdivision (b)(19) of this section;
(23)
Apply for and assist others in applying for state, private, or federal grants-in-aid and, with the advice and counsel of the advisory council, approve applications for state and federal grants and enter into grants and contracts with public agencies, institutes of higher education, and private organizations or individuals for the purpose of carrying out research, prevention, education, training, treatment, intervention, and rehabilitation activities or special projects which bear directly on the problems related to alcohol and drug abuse or misuse. The contracts or grants may be entered into for these purposes without performance bonds;
(24)
Be the primary agency responsible for receiving and disbursing all state, federal, and other public moneys collected for the purpose of combating alcohol and drug abuse-related problems in this state and to account for such receipts and disbursals as are made; and
(25)
Do and perform all other actions and exercise all other authority not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this subchapter.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2233, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2232, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2231, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5212, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5211, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5210, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5209, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5208, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 913,§ 92, eff. 8/1/2017.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1107,§ 20, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1977, No. 644, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 82-2132.