The Office of Drug Policy (ODP) was established by HB 106 (Idaho Code 67-821). The purpose of the Office is to coordinate policy and programs related to drug and substance abuse.
In 2005 the Office of Performance Evaluation (OPE) conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the substance abuse service delivery system in Idaho. OPE concluded that the current system was fragmented and that a revised, more coordinated and comprehensive approach was needed. Based on this report, the 2006 Legislature created the Interagency Committee on Substance Abuse Treatment (ICSA) and the Office of Drug Policy. This Interagency Committee is charged with the responsibility of improving the coordination and effectiveness of substance abuse services across state agencies and the Judiciary. The Director of ODP, Debbie Field, was appointed by the Governor in 2007 to serve as the Chair for ICSA and to provide overall guidance to state agencies for the purpose of developing a more coordinated and comprehensive substance abuse service delivery system in Idaho. In addition to the role of encouraging greater communication and cooperation across state agencies, ODP is committed to involving local communities and private substance abuse service providers in the ongoing process of improving the effectiveness and availability of both treatment and prevention services across all 44 Idaho counties. Please do not hesitate to call, write or email us with your comments and suggestions.
Debbie Field was appointed to the Idaho House of Representatives in 1995 and was elected to serve the people of Boise’s District 18 (southeast Boise) for twelve years. She served on the State Affairs and Revenue and Taxation Committee and served as Chair of the House Judiciary and Rules Committee, where she worked to help secure a consistent funding stream for drug and mental health courts. Debbie served 10 years as a Board Member for the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections. In January 2007Governor Otter named her Director of the State Office of Drug Policy. Debbie’s work with the Office of Drug Policy has taken her all over the great state of Idaho, to meet with folks and listen to their stories. Debbie has been raising awareness on behalf of the “Idaho Meth Project,” modeled after Montana’s highly successful “Montana Meth Project”. The goal of the project is to work with federal, state and local partners to help eradicate Meth in the state of Idaho over the next five years.
Debbie serves as Chair of the Interagency Committee on Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment.
The purpose of the interagency committee is to focus on statewide efforts to address substance abuse by assessing statewide needs, developing a statewide plan, and coordinating and directing efforts of all state entities that use public funds for efforts to address substance abuse. Debbie and her husband, Mike Field, are the parents of three grown children and three grandchildren.
Sharon Burke joined the Office of Drug Policy on June 15, 2009 after serving for two years as the county representative on the Interagency Committee on Substance Abuse. Working at the Idaho Association of Counties as staff for the Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee provided excellent insight into the treatment needs at the county level. Prior to her tenure at the Idaho Association of Counties, Sharon worked for the Administrative Office of the Idaho Supreme Court and understands the importance of an effective substance abuse treatment system for both the criminal justice and non-criminal justice populations who require publicly-funded services. While taking a sabbatical from full-time work to spend time with her children, Sharon worked part-time at the Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center. She serves on the Board at Life's Kitchen, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing life skills to at-risk youth. Sharon received her undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Idaho and a Masters in Public Administration from Boise State University. Sharon and her husband Mike have two children, Erin and Matthew.
Gayle started working for the Office of Drug Policy in November of 2008. She brings over twenty-five years of executive administration experience, having worked for a global construction and engineering company specializing in large government contracts. In addition to her professional experience, Gayle has been active in community outreach efforts through her church and local organizations.
A long-time Idaho resident, Gayle enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, including her four grandchildren. Her interests include reading, fishing, hiking and learning about emerging health issues.