19.15 - Programs of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services.

§ 19.15 Programs  of  the  office  of  alcoholism  and  substance  abuse            services.    (a) With  the  advice  of  the  advisory  council  on  alcoholism  and  substance   abuse   services,   and   with   the   assistance   of   any  interdepartmental  council  or   committee   heretofore   or   hereafter  established   that   shall   be  charged  with  the  responsibility  for  interdepartmental cooperation and  program  development  in  alcoholism,  substance   abuse,  and  chemical  dependency,  the  commissioner  shall  promote, establish, coordinate, and  conduct  programs  for  prevention,  diagnosis,  treatment,  aftercare,  rehabilitation,  and  control in the  fields  of  alcoholism,  alcohol  abuse,  substance   abuse,   substance  dependence,  and  chemical  dependence  in  cooperation  with such other  federal, state, local, and private agencies as are necessary and, within  the amount made  available  by  appropriation  therefor,  implement  and  administer such programs.    (b) The commissioner shall cooperate with, guide, and assist political  subdivisions,   local  agencies,  local  governmental  units,  community  service boards, and/or providers of  services  in  the  development  and  periodic review of local comprehensive plans and programs for alcoholic,  alcohol  abusing,  substance abusing, substance dependent and chemically  dependent  persons  and  their  families  and  approve  such  plans  and  programs.    (c)  The  activities  described  in  subdivisions  (a) and (b) of this  section may be  undertaken  in  cooperation  and  agreement  with  other  offices  of the department and with other departments or agencies of the  state, local or federal government,  or  with  other  organizations  and  individuals,  including,  but  not limited to, the research institute on  addictions as established in article one hundred five of  the  education  law.    (d)  The commissioner shall provide for the development of systems and  programs through which individuals in the  state's  public  and  private  work  force who abuse or are dependent on alcohol and/or substances, and  their families or significant others are  identified  and  referred  for  assistance,  ensuring  that  these  systems  and  programs shall provide  emphasis upon the special needs of working women.    (e)  The  commissioner  shall  implement  a  program  of   alcoholism,  substance  abuse,  and  chemical  dependence  prevention  and  treatment  services adapted to the needs and interests of young  people,  including  the children of alcoholic and/or substance abusing persons.    (f)  Reports.  (1) The commissioner shall make an annual report to the  governor and the legislature by March first of each year  assessing  the  progress  in  implementing  the  programs and policies contained in this  title and including an accounting of the amounts, sources  and  uses  of  funds  expended  for  alcoholism  and  substance  abuse services and for  prevention and education.    (2) The office shall on or before the first day of April in each  year  file  a written report with the governor, the temporary president of the  senate and the speaker of the assembly summarizing the  results  of  any  special  system  or  program  directed at the special needs of women and  children  affected  by  alcoholism,  alcohol  abuse,  substance   abuse,  substance  dependence, or chemical dependence. Such report shall include  but not be limited to a statistical analysis  of  the  effectiveness  of  such   programs   initiated   by  the  office  together  with  suggested  legislation deemed necessary or proper for  the  implementation  of  new  programs or future success and development of existing programs.    (g) The office shall study, investigate, and recommend to the governor  and  the  legislature  methods  of  increasing  third party payments forprograms treating persons who abuse or are dependent on  alcohol  and/or  substances, and their families.    (h) The office shall administer community and school based alcoholism,  substance  abuse,  and  chemical  dependence  prevention  and  education  programs.    (i) The commissioner shall develop plans, and cause  to  be  promoted,  programs   and   services  related  to  compulsive  gambling  education,  prevention and treatment consistent with section 41.57 of this  chapter.  He  or  she  shall  take  all  actions that are necessary, desirable, or  proper to implement the purposes of this chapter and to  carry  out  the  purposes  and  objectives  of  the  department  within  the amounts made  available therefor by appropriation, grant,  gift,  devise,  bequest  or  allocation   from   the   problem  and  compulsive  gambling  education,  prevention and treatment fund established under section ninety-nine-i of  the state finance law, as amended by section one of part  Y  of  chapter  sixty-three of the laws of two thousand three.