The Substance Abuse Services Council (SASC) is established in the Code of Virginia [2.2-2696] to advise the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services on matters pertaining to substance abuse in the Commonwealth. As required, the Council met four times during 2019 (March 13, April 10, May 15, and September 25.) All meetings were conducted in the metropolitan Richmond area. Meeting notices and approved minutes are posted on the Council’s web page at http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/about-dbhds/Boards-Councils/sasc. Presentations and other information distributed at the meetings are also available at this website.

The contents of this report cover the activities of the Council in calendar year 2019. During this time period, the Council studied critical topics related to the workforce, including workforce training and development.

The following sections describe the Council’s activities and presentations that informed the Council’s discussion and recommendations.