Governor Bush, First Lady Columba Bush and Lt. Governor Jennings Host Seventh Annual Statewide Drug Summit

GOVERNOR BUSH, FIRST LADY COLUMBA BUSH AND LT. GOVERNOR JENNINGS HOST SEVENTH ANNUAL STATEWIDE DRUG SUMMIT

Professionals from across the state gather to review strategy for upcoming year

Governor Jeb Bush, First Lady Columba Bush and Lt. Governor Toni Jennings today hosted more than 300 leaders and professionals from the fields of drug treatment, prevention and law enforcement at the Seventh Annual Statewide Drug Summit. Participants engaged in conversation on the most effective approach to reach the Governor's goal, first set in 1999, of reducing illegal substance abuse by 50 percent. Topics for discussion included drug courts, adolescent treatment, and Florida's Strategic Prevention Alliance.

"Florida's success in the continued decline of substance abuse rates among our youth can be linked to our comprehensive statewide strategy and the powerful leadership exhibited at the local level," said Governor Bush. "While I am proud of our success we will continue our efforts in prevention, treatment and law enforcement to avoid any relapse in our declining usage rates."

Since taking office, Governor Bush has been very supportive of substance abuse prevention and treatment through funding and legislation. During the 2005 legislative session, the Legislature appropriated $254.6 million - a 2.76 percent increase over current funding - for substance abuse prevention and treatment. Total funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment has increased by 67 percent since 1998. In addition, the Governor plans to sign House Bill 1347, the Controlled Substances Act, later this month. This legislation will restrict the sales of drugs containing ephedrine, revise the definition of "precursor chemicals" to include additional chemicals and increase severity of drug offenses occurring within 1,000 feet of an assisted living facility.

The summit also featured Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), as the keynote speaker.

"As part of our mission, NIDA is dedicated to working to ensure the rapid and effective transfer of scientific data to policy makers for informed decision making," said Dr. Volkow. "This summit provides an excellent opportunity for the leaders in the field to discuss emerging trends, apply relevant data, and make recommendations to properly develop prevention, treatment, and law enforcement strategies."

In addition to the Governor's efforts, the First Lady remains a champion of substance abuse prevention efforts both at the state and national levels. She has traveled across the state and met with students and community leaders in support of prevention and treatment efforts. Mrs. Bush has led the fight against underage drinking through the Changing Alcohol Norms (CAN) initiative and continues to build bridges between all three branches of government to discuss service initiatives in the areas of substance abuse, domestic violence and arts education.

"The devastation caused by drug abuse affects not only the abuser, but also their family, their friends and their community," said Mrs. Bush. "I'm grateful there are leaders dedicated to overcoming the challenging task of reducing drug abuse in our state. Florida's Drug Summit is an important and wonderful opportunity for these leaders to come together and discuss ideas that will help to decrease substance abuse statewide."

Statewide Drug Summit attendees included elected officials, state agency heads and members of several of Florida's law enforcement agencies.

The Governor's Drug Control strategy utilizes a multifaceted approach to effectively decreasing substance abuse in the State of Florida. The Florida Office of Drug Control oversees the strategy's implementation and coordinates its efforts with the departments of Children and Families, Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Health, Law Enforcement, and Business and Professional Regulation; the Florida National Guard; the Florida Highway Patrol; and other community-based and federal organizations committed to countering drug abuse. The Florida Office of Drug Control, as well as its mandated counterpart, the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council, are charged with developing objective measures of success to ensure progress is made across the spectrum of drug control efforts.

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