Educational Programs - - CA Health And Safety

Section § 11600

In California, the Attorney General, Board of Pharmacy, and other agencies are responsible for creating educational programs to prevent the misuse of controlled substances.

These programs should aim to help industry professionals and organizations recognize substance misuse issues. They should also support these groups in reducing misuse and improving how they manage related challenges.

Additionally, these programs should offer guidance to law enforcement to aid their efforts in combating substance misuse.

The Attorney General, the Board of Pharmacy, and other agencies shall carry out educational programs designed to prevent and deter misuse and abuse of controlled substances. In connection with these programs, he may do all of the following:

(a) Promote better recognition of the problems of misuse and abuse of controlled substances within the regulated industry and among interested groups and organizations.

(b) Assist the regulated industry and interested groups and organizations in contributing to the reduction of misuse and abuse of controlled substances.

(c) Consult with interested groups and organizations to aid them in solving administrative and organizational problems.

(d) Assist in the education and training of state and local law enforcement officials in their efforts to control misuse and abuse of controlled substances.

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(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 1407.)

Section § 11601

This law empowers the Attorney General to advance research on preventing and combating the misuse and abuse of controlled drugs. To do so, they can develop new enforcement tools, work with various public and private entities on projects addressing substance abuse, and allow hospitals and trauma centers to share overdose trend data with law enforcement and emergency agencies, ensuring patient confidentiality.

The Attorney General shall encourage research on misuse and abuse of controlled substances. In connection with the research, and in furtherance of the enforcement of this division, he or she may do all of the following:

(a) Develop new or improved approaches, techniques, systems, equipment, and devices to strengthen the enforcement of this division.

(b) Enter into contracts with public agencies, institutions of higher education, and private organizations or individuals for the purpose of conducting demonstrations or special projects that bear directly on misuse and abuse of controlled substances.

(c)

(1) Authorize hospitals and trauma centers to share information with local law enforcement agencies, the Emergency Medical Services Authority, and local emergency medical services agencies about controlled substance overdose trends.

(2) The information provided by hospitals and trauma centers pursuant to this subdivision shall include only the number of overdoses and the substances suspected as the primary cause of the overdoses. Any information shared pursuant to this subdivision shall be shared in a manner that ensures complete patient confidentiality.

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(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 491, Sec. 3. (SB 1438) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Section § 11602

This law allows the Attorney General to make contracts for educational and research activities without needing a performance bond. A performance bond is typically a security measure to ensure the fulfillment of contract obligations, but in this case, it is not required.

The Attorney General may enter into contracts for educational and research activities without performance bonds.

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(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 1407.)

Section § 11603

This law allows researchers studying controlled substances to keep the identities of their research subjects confidential. With the approval of the Attorney General and the Research Advisory Panel, these researchers are not required to reveal the names of their subjects in any legal or governmental proceedings.

The Attorney General, with the approval of the Research Advisory Panel, may authorize persons engaged in research on the use and effects of controlled substances to withhold the names and other identifying characteristics of individuals who are the subjects of the research. Persons who obtain this authorization are not compelled in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding to identify the individuals who are the subjects of research for which the authorization was obtained.

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(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 1407.)

Section § 11604

This law allows the Attorney General to give permission to researchers to possess and distribute controlled substances if they're conducting research. Once authorized, these researchers won't face state legal action for having or distributing these substances, as long as they stay within what's allowed by the authorization.

The Attorney General, with the approval of the Research Advisory Panel, may authorize the possession and distribution of controlled substances by persons engaged in research. Persons who obtain this authorization are exempt from state prosecution for possession and distribution of controlled substances to the extent of the authorization.

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(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 1407.)

Section § 11605

Starting from the 1991-92 school year, the California Attorney General, with the Governor’s Policy Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, must conduct a survey every two years on drug and alcohol use among 7th, 9th, and 11th graders. This survey looks at how often students use substances, what kind, the age they start, their attitudes, experiences with school prevention programs, and optionally, dropout risk factors.

The survey uses a sample of students statewide, similar to past ones in the late 1980s. Results need to be released by May of even years and shared with various state bodies and the public. Student and school privacy must be protected. Data reporters are not liable for any misuse of survey data, and funding will continue from the Attorney General’s current budget.

(a) Commencing with the 1991–92 fiscal year, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Governor’s Policy Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, shall conduct a biennial survey of drug and alcohol use among pupils enrolled in grades 7, 9, and 11. The survey shall assess all of the following:

(1) The frequency and type of substance abuse.

(2) The age of first use and intoxication.

(3) Pertinent attitudes and experiences of pupils.

(4) The experience of pupils with school-based drug and alcohol prevention programs.

(5) As an optional component, the survey may examine the risk factors associated with school dropouts.

(b) The biennial survey shall be based on a statewide sample of pupils enrolled in grades 7, 9, and 11 and shall be consistent with the surveys conducted by the office of the Attorney General in the 1985–86, 1987–88, and 1989–90 fiscal years.

(c) The Attorney General shall release the findings of the survey on or before May of each even-numbered year and shall prepare and distribute a report on the survey to the Legislature, the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, law enforcement agencies, school districts, and interested members of the general public.

(d) In conducting the survey, the Attorney General shall ensure that the confidentiality of participating school districts and pupils shall be maintained. Pupil questionnaires and answer sheets shall be exempt from the public disclosure requirements prescribed by Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code.

(e) Persons reporting data pursuant to the requirements of this article shall not be liable for damages in any action based upon the use or misuse of pupil surveys that are mailed or otherwise transmitted to the Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee.

(f) The requirements prescribed by this article shall continue to be funded with the existing resources of the Attorney General.

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(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 240. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)