OFFICE OF DRUG CONTROL POLICY

    On May 17, 2006, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm named Donald L. Allen, Jr. as the new director of the Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP). Mr. Allen assumed the directorship of ODCP on June 5, 2006, after serving as deputy legal counsel for the Governor on her legal staff. Mr. Allen's duties for the executive office included serving as a member of the Governor's senior staff with responsibilities for emergency management and homeland security, civil rights and criminal justice.

    Mr. Allen is a 1983 graduate of Wayne State University Law School and spent most of his professional career as an Assistant Attorney General in the Michigan Department of Attorney General. His tenure at the Department of Attorney General began in February 1988 and spanned through September 2005. His assignments included the Social Services, Revenue, Corrections, and Health Care Fraud divisions where he specialized in litigation. While at the Attorney General's Office, he also served as a member on the Attorney General's Litigation Advisory Board. In his last assignment at the Health Care Fraud Division he served as a prosecutor of high profile criminal and civil defendants. After joining the executive office, the Governor assigned Mr. Allen to lead an interagency group addressing the myriad of problems emanating from the production of methamphetamine.

    Mr. Allen has adopted an approach designed to re-energize the activities of the ODCP in coordination with priorities established by the executive office. In addition to continuing to address the problems posed by methamphetamines, Mr. Allen is co-lead on an interdepartmental effort designed to address persons diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, Mr. Allen is leading Michigan's efforts to implement the requirements of the federal government under the Strategic Initiative Grants and the implementation of the Strategic Prevention Framework. Principal among the requirements are the reduction of underage drinking and alcohol related vehicle crashes and deaths. Efforts to prevent and reduce underage drinking are central to the mission of the ODCP and Mr. Allen has made this initiative one of the flagships of his administration.

    Under Mr. Allen's leadership, ODCP is revising their mission and vision statements in conjunction with their Strategic Plan. His intention is to have ODCP lead the state's efforts to combat underage drinking, while implementing best practices aimed at reducing alcohol related crashes. ODCP will also lead efforts aimed at strengthening the state's prevention framework and sustaining sobriety for individuals leaving treatment.

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Articles:

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Governor Granholm Designates Donald Allen as Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy May 12, 2006