Examining  What’s  Happening  Across  America  

April  10-­‐12,  2012  Walt  Disney  World  Swan  Resort  

SHERRY  L.  GREEN,  JD  CHIEF  EXECUTIVE  OFFICER  

NATIONAL  ALLIANCE  FOR  MODEL  STATE  DRUG  LAWS  (NAMSDL)  

WWW.NAMSDL.ORG  

Accepted  Learning  Objec?ves:  

1.  Analyze  the  characteris?cs  of  effec?ve  programs  designed  to  reduce  the  growth  of  prescrip?on  drug  abuse  and  provide  evidence-­‐based  programs  that  can  be  replicated  in  rural  and  urban  communi?es.  

2.  Iden?fy  common-­‐interest  issues  related  to  grassroots  preven?on  and  treatment  programs.  

3.  Describe  available  resources  to  advocate  for  change,  with  specific  focus  on  model    state  drug  laws.  

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

Sherry L. Green, CEO and the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL);

A. Have no relationship with companies who manufacture products

used in the treatment of the subjects under discussion;

B. Have no relationship with commercial supporters of the summit;

C. Have no intent to discuss unlabeled uses of a commercial product

not yet approved for this purpose.

USING NAMSDL’S LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY SERVICES TO HELP EFFECT

POSITIVE POLICY CHANGE

Overview  

•  Who  is  NAMSDL?  

•  What  services  does  NAMSDL  provide?  

•  What  is  the  value  of  NAMSDL’s  services  to  effecCng  

posiCve  policy  change?  

•  How  is  NAMSDL  expanding  its  services  to  benefit  

more  community  leaders?  

WHO IS NAMSDL?

•  501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation

•  Successor to the President’s Commission on Model State Drug Laws

•  Funded by Congress for 18 ½ years

•  Provides legislative and policy services on drug and alcohol laws to a variety of stakeholders at the state and local level

WHAT SERVICES DOES NAMSDL PROVIDE? Six (6) Major Categories of Services:

•  Write model (sample) drug and alcohol laws

•  Tailor model language to meet the needs and issues of a particular state or community

•  Help write state statutes and policies on over 40 drug and alcohol topics

•  Research, analyze and compare state laws and policies

•  Research and compare practical application of state laws and policies using our national network of experts, resource people and front line professionals

Is the result of using a law the intended result?

Are there unanticipated consequences from the use?

WHAT SERVICES DOES NAMSDL PROVIDE? (Cont.)

•  Educate stakeholders on model drug and alcohol laws and related state statutes and policies

  Across disciplines and systems

  Policymaker level to frontline level

  Purposes of law-problems addressed

  Similarities and differences among laws and policies

  Practical application and results

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF NAMSDL’S SERVICES TO EFFECTING POSITIVE POLICY CHANGE?  

Identify and Create Options for Positive Change and Help Stakeholders:  

•  Determine what’s working or not working  

•  Spot and eliminate duplicative efforts  

•  Build on strengths and outline needed improvements  

•  Establish accountability methods for assessing effective compliance with laws and policies  

•  Use public dollars more efficiently in implementing drug and alcohol strategies, laws and policies  

Primary Users of NAMSDL Services:  

•  Governors and staff  

•  State legislators and related organizations  

•  Drug and alcohol professionals  

•  Health professionals  

•  Attorneys Generals and staff  

•  District Attorneys and staff  

•  Law enforcement officials  

•  Congressional staff  

•  Federal Agency Staff  

HOW IS NAMSDL EXPANDING ITS SERVICES TO BENEFIT MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS?  

More Services to More Community Leaders:  

•  Pilot Project in Iowa  -Partnership with Alliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C)  

-Develop guide and conduct two (1) day trainings  

-Make guide and training available to other community coalitions  

•  Here and now  -Accepting requests for legislative and policy help from community leaders/coalitions

-Examples of “hot topics” that are subject of current requests:  

Prescription drug monitoring programs  Abuse of synthetic substances e.g., bath salts  “Pill Mills”  

REQUESTS FOR NAMSDL’S LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY ASSISTANCE

Requests by community leaders/coalitions:

Contact: Kevin Smith Government Affairs Coordinator , National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) 113 Manchester Ave. Earlville, IA 52041 Phone: 703-836-6100, ext. 118 Blackberry: 563-929-0519 Email: ksmith@namsdl.org Website: www.namsdl.org

Requests by other stakeholders at National RX Drug Abuse Summit:  

Contact: Sherry L. Green  Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL)  Headquarters Office  215 Lincoln Ave., Suite 201  Santa Fe, NM 87501  Phone: 703-836-6100, ext. 116  Blackberry: 703-801-8350  Fax: 505-820-1750  Email: sgreen@namsdl.org  Website: www.namsdl.org  

Questions?