Salem, OR—As part of her ongoing efforts to support Oregonians struggling with substance use disorders, Governor Tina Kotek announced today that she is bringing new focus and energy to the agency tasked with improving the effectiveness of state and local addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services for all Oregonians, with the first step being the appointment of Annaliese Dolph as the new director of the ]Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission](https://www.oregon.gov/adpc/pages/index.aspx) (ADPC).
Governor Kotek has charged the incoming director with advancing a series of new priorities for the Commission, including aligning addiction prevention and treatment work across state government and working to help state government more efficiently navigate the intersections of unsheltered homelessness, addiction, and the criminal justice system.
“Oregon has some of the worst outcomes nationally when it comes to substance abuse disorder. Revitalizing the work of the ADPC is a necessary next step to addressing Oregon’s behavioral health crisis, one of my top priorities from Day One,” Governor Kotek said. “This effort will require a clear leader with policy expertise, relationships across the spectrum of providers and agencies, and deep organizational skills. We have that leader in Ms. Dolph.”
Dolph was instrumental in Governor Kotek’s transition into office and has served as her Behavioral Health Initiative Director. Her appointment to the ADPC director position is effective on July 1.
“I am excited to usher in the next phase of the ADPC and grateful for the opportunity to serve Oregonians through my new role,” Dolph said.
Governor Kotek also thanked Acting ADPC Director Jill Gray for stepping up to lead after the departure of the previous director and through the initial transition of a new administration.
Membership on the Commission has waned. The ADPC currently has 8 open positions. Governor Kotek is calling on qualified and diverse members of the public to apply to serve on the Commission, in particular stakeholders impacted by the work of the Commission including consumers of addiction recovery services and their family members and treatment providers. More information and the application to apply can be found here.
The ADPC has been given the authority by the Legislature to make administrative rules to direct state policy and practices regarding alcohol and other drug misuse prevention and treatment. The ADPC also has the authority to make recommendations to the Governor or the Legislature about state policy and practices regarding alcohol and drug misuse prevention and treatment and can make resolutions to guide state policy and practices on these issues.
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