1. It is declared to be the public policy of this State that the prevention of substance use, substance use disorders and the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with substance use disorders is a matter of grave concern to the people of the State and requires that a comprehensive program be established to provide the broadest spectrum of medical and community services possible for local treatment and counseling facilities on a Statewide basis. Further, this Statewide effort must avoid divisiveness, organizational uncertainty, unnecessary duplication of efforts and unproductive controversy and, therefore, will require coordination and supervision of local operations through strategically placed regional centers, all to be administered through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services.

L.1971, c.128, s.1; amended 2017, c.131, s.94.