The Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana (DFI) was established in 1989 by an Act of the General Assembly in an effort to accelerate Indiana’s fight against substance abuse. During the 2016 legislative session, SB 271 was proposed to:

• Change the name from the Governor’s Commission of a Drug-Free Indiana to the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse
• Provide ICJI with more oversight of the LCC’s and ICCDA
• More coordination between state agencies working to reduce substance abuse
• Will offer more support to LCCs
• Will not change how the funds are collected/dispersed in the counties

SB 271 was signed by the governor on March 31, 2016 and took into effect on July 1, 2016. The Commission works in a collaborative capacity with 92 local coordinating councils (LCCs) representing all of Indiana’s (92) counties. Each year, LCCs are charged with implementing comprehensive community plans, which address substance abuse challenges through treatment, prevention and enforcement. Membership of a LCC should include volunteers from a variety of institutions and organizations including education, treatment, social services, and local police. Under state law, funding for the local LCCs are obtained through court-imposed fines from alcohol and drug-related offenders in the county. Of these fines, 75% of these funds are annually awarded back to community individuals and organizations involved in designing and implementing projects and services addressing the actions recommended in the Comprehensive Community Plan. Interested applicants should contact SAFE for more information about joining the coalition and applying for funds.