Executive Order No. 3-81 (No. 09-17) [Governor’s Opioid Coordination Council]
WHEREAS, opioid addiction and abuse in the State of Vermont negatively affect all
people, of all ages, in all communities, at all income levels; and
WHEREAS, opioid addiction and abuse has caused and continues to cause an increase
in drug trafficking and other criminal offenses throughout Vermont which erodes our
way of life and endangers all Vermonters; and
WHEREAS, opioid addiction and abuse has caused an increasing number of overdose deaths
in Vermont, particularly among young Vermonters; and
WHEREAS, the fight against opioid addiction and abuse continues to consume an increasing
portion of scarce State resources; and
WHEREAS, because it is not feasible or effective to rely solely on state social service
agencies or law enforcement to resolve the opioid crisis, all Vermonters must play
an important role in helping to eradicate this scourge from our State; and
WHEREAS, to effectively meet this challenge, the State, municipalities, and all Vermonters
must work together on a three-pronged approach to this crisis:
• the demand for opioids must be significantly reduced through education, the building
of strong families and neighborhoods, and increased economic and job opportunities;
• those addicted to opioids must be afforded adequate and effective treatment and
recovery opportunities; and
• the supply of opioids must be reduced through robust and coordinated federal, state,
and local law enforcement targeting drug traffickers and through more effective means
of preventing the diversion of prescription opioids; and
WHEREAS, the Governor recognizes the diversity of Vermont municipalities and the distinct
differences of population, geography, and resources; and
WHEREAS, the successful fight against opioid addiction and abuse will rely on the
strength of this local diversity to enable and empower local authorities to adapt
recommended policies, programs, and best practices to the needs of the various communities;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Rutland has seen a significant decrease in opioid-related crime
after successfully implementing Project VISION, a locally-driven strategy to identify
and eliminate neighborhood drug markets utilizing a creative, collaborative grass-roots
effort involving individuals, families, local businesses, churches, law enforcement,
community development organizations, and health care professionals; and
WHEREAS, in order to fully enable and empower local communities in their fight against
opioid addiction and abuse and to build on the success of Project VISION, there is
a need to ensure full coordination among State agencies, State municipalities, law
enforcement, and treatment providers to strengthen Vermont’s overall response to the
opioid crisis through effective opioid addiction prevention, treatment, recovery and
enforcement action plans.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority
vested in me as Governor, do hereby create the Governor’s Opioid Coordination Council,
as follows:
I. Composition and Appointments.
The Council shall consist of the following members who shall be geographically representative
of the State to the extent possible:
A. The Commissioner of Public Safety, Secretary of the Agency of Health and Human Services,
and a community leader to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor,
all of whom shall serve as Co-Chairs;
B. The Commissioner of the Department of Health or designee;
C. The Attorney General, or designee;
D. The United States Attorney, District of Vermont, or designee;
E. One representative of the Vermont Mayors Coalition;
F. One representative of a local non-profit housing organization to be appointed by the
Governor;
G. One educator involved in substance abuse prevention appointed by the Governor;
H. One representative of State municipalities appointed by the Vermont League of Cities
and Towns;
I. One substance abuse prevention and treatment professional, appointed by the Governor;
J. One representative of the Vermont Association of Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery;
K. One representative of a designated agency appointed by the Governor;
L. One representative of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems;
M. One representative of the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association;
N. One representative of the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police;
O. One representative of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration;
P. One first responder to be appointed by the Governor.
Q. The Chief Justice, or designee;
R. One representative of Vermont’s business community to be appointed by the Governor;
and
S. One at-large member to be appointed by the Governor.
Members appointed by the Governor shall serve for two-year terms, beginning as of
May 1, 2017.
II. Director of Drug Policy.
The Governor shall designate a Director of Drug Policy who shall act as the Executive
Director of the Council and who will support, coordinate, and monitor the progress
of the Council on a day-to-day basis.
III. Council Charge and Process.
The mission of the Council will be to lead and strengthen Vermont’s response to the
opioid crisis by ensuring full interagency and intra-agency coordination between state
and local governments in the areas of prevention, treatment, recovery and law enforcement
activities. Where practicable, the Council will apply the strategies and lessons
learned from VISION to other communities throughout Vermont. The Council shall initially
meet at least monthly. The Council shall:
A. Identify best practices for communities to address opioid addiction and abuse in order
to assist them in: (1) significantly reducing the demand for opioids through prevention
and education; (2) providing treatment and recovery services to those afflicted with
opioid addiction; and (3) significantly reducing the supply of illegal opioids;
B. Develop and adopt data driven performance measures and outcomes which will allow State
and local community programs to determine whether they are meeting their goals and
objectives in reducing opioid addiction and abuse;
C. Review existing State health, mental health, and drug and alcohol addiction laws,
regulations, policies, and programs and propose changes to eliminate redundancy and
break down barriers faced by communities in coordinating action with State government;
D. Propose legislation to strengthen a Statewide approach to fight opioid addiction and
abuse and facilitate adaptation to the changing nature and multiple facets of the
opioid crisis;
E. Consult and coordinate with federal agencies and officials as well as those in surrounding
states;
F. Work in coordination with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council created pursuant to 18 V.S.A. 4803;
G. Report to the Governor on a quarterly basis and as otherwise required by the Governor
regarding: (1) recommendations for resource, policy, and legislative or regulatory
changes; and (2) progress made under State and local programs measured against established
data driven performance measures; and
H. In consultation with the Director of Drug Policy, do all things necessary to carry
out the purpose of this Executive Order.
The Council may designate subcommittees as necessary. The Council shall receive administrative
support from the Governor’s Office and the Agency of Administration.
IV. Effective Date.
This Executive Order supersedes and replaces Executive Order 02-17 (codified as 3-77).
This Executive Order shall take effect upon execution.
Dated May 8, 2017.