Chapter 2.125
SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COMMISSION
Sections:
2.125.070 Activities and charge.
2.125.010 Establishment.
There is hereby created a Whitestown substance abuse prevention commission (“commission”). [Ord. 2018-06 § 1]
2.125.020 Membership.
The commission shall consist of five voting members, to be appointed by the town council president with the approval of a majority of the Whitestown town council. One town council member may be appointed, ex-officio, as one of the voting members of the commission. As Whitestown is an inclusive community that promotes diversity, equality, and tolerance among all of its citizens, the appointing authorities are also strongly encouraged to appoint additional members with varying and diverse backgrounds. [Ord. 2018-06 § 2]
2.125.030 Qualifications.
Non-council applicants seeking membership to the commission should have a demonstrated interest and concern for substance and alcohol abuse problems in the community. The members of the commission should include persons knowledgeable and engaged in matters of public health. All voting members of the commission shall be Whitestown residents. [Ord. 2018-06 § 3]
2.125.040 Terms.
The initial term for each member of the commission shall expire on December 31, 2020. Subsequent terms shall be for two-year periods thereafter. Individuals may be appointed for additional terms. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the town council and may be removed from the commission with or without cause, by a majority vote of the town council. [Ord. 2018-06 § 4]
2.125.050 Meetings.
The commission shall hold meetings at least six times each term, and may hold such additional meetings as the president of the commission determines to be appropriate. At its first meeting each term, the commission shall select from its membership a president, vice-president, and secretary. The commission shall take and maintain minutes of all of its meetings. Minutes shall contain at a minimum, the time and place of each meeting, the names of the members present, all official acts of the commission, the votes given by members, and a summary of all proceedings before the commission. A member of the town’s administrative staff will serve as a nonvoting liaison. A majority of the commission’s members shall constitute a quorum. All official meetings that include a majority of the commission shall be open to the public, except to the extent otherwise permitted by Indiana law. [Ord. 2018-06 § 5]
2.125.060 Liaisons.
The Whitestown police chief, Whitestown fire chief, and Whitestown parks director shall each also provide one nonvoting advisory liaison to the commission. The nonvoting advisory liaisons may be changed by the respective department head at any time. [Ord. 2018-06 § 6]
2.125.070 Activities and charge.
The commission shall have no legal obligations, responsibilities, duties, or governmental authority, and commission membership shall not constitute a public office. However, the commission is charged with encouraging public health and safety for Whitestown’s current and future generations through the promotion of the prevention of substance abuse and the elimination of deaths related thereto. The goals of the commission include:
A. To advise the town council in matters pertaining to substance abuse;
B. To make recommendations intended to prevent and eliminate the abuse of alcohol and other controlled substances;
C. To promote the coordination of programs directed towards the youth of the community intended to prevent and eliminate alcohol and substance abuse;
D. To evaluate existing programs and policies relating to substance abuse and drug-related crimes and to make recommendations to the town council with respect to policy, programs and regulations which will further the city’s goals; and
E. To promote policies of cooperation between government programs, community organizations, and/or private individuals, businesses, and groups to strengthen existing alcohol and drug abuse programs.
Within its overall mission of promoting the prevention of substance abuse and deaths, the commission is also charged with reviewing, considering, discussing, debating, and advocating on such issues and matters affecting local government and the Whitestown community that its members determine to be important and appropriate, and which are for the betterment of Whitestown and its citizens. The commission is encouraged to identify issues impacting Whitestown that should be considered by local government, seek and develop realistic and efficient solutions, and make recommendations for consideration by the town council. The commission shall report to the town council on its activities at least four times each term. [Ord. 2018-06 § 7]