The Florida Senate

397.331  Definitions; legislative intent.--

(1)  As used in this act, the term:

(a)  "Substance abuse" means the use of any substance if such use is unlawful or if such use is detrimental to the user or to others, but is not unlawful.

(b)  "Substance abuse programs and services" or "drug control" applies generally to the broad continuum of prevention, intervention, and treatment initiatives and efforts to limit substance abuse and also includes initiatives and efforts by law enforcement agencies to limit substance abuse.

(2)  It is the intent of the Legislature to establish and institutionalize a rational process for long-range planning, information gathering, strategic decisionmaking, and funding for the purpose of limiting substance abuse. The Legislature finds that the creation of a state Office of Drug Control and a Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council affords the best means of establishing and institutionalizing such a process.

(3)  The Legislature finds that any rational and cost-effective governmental effort to address substance abuse must involve a comprehensive, integrated, and multidisciplinary approach to the problem of substance abuse.

(4)  The Legislature further finds that because state resources must be available to address an array of state needs, including the funding of drug control efforts, it is critical that:

(a)  A state drug control strategy be developed and implemented;

(b)  Decisions regarding the funding of substance abuse programs and services be based on the state drug control strategy;

(c)  The state drug control strategy be supported by the latest empirical research and data;

(d)  The state drug control strategy require performance-based measurement and accountability;

(e)  The state drug control strategy require short-term and long-term objectives;

(f)  The development and implementation of the state drug control strategy afford a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors an opportunity to comment and make recommendations; and

(g)  Because the nature and scope of the substance abuse problem transcends jurisdictional boundaries of any single government agency, the state drug control strategy be a comprehensive, integrated, and multidisciplinary response to the problem of substance abuse.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-187.