Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002 Source: Times Union (Albany, NY) Copyright: 2002 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation Contact: http://www.timesunion.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452 Author: Elizabeth Benjamin, Capitol Bureau DRUG AGENCY CHIEF QUITTING Albany-- Jean Miller's Exit Comes As Lawmakers Consider Changes to the Rockefeller Drug Laws As lawmakers wrangle over drug law reform that could divert thousands of substance abusers into New York's already-strapped treatment system, the head of the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services is poised to step down, officials said. Jean Miller, agency commissioner for almost seven years, will leave next month to join the lobbying firm of Patricia Lynch, former press secretary to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said agency spokeswoman Jennifer Sandu. Miller joined the Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse as an attorney in 1992, the year that agency merged with the Division of Substance Abuse Services. She was appointed commissioner of the new entity by Gov. George Pataki in 1995 and presided over the long, and many say, successful, union of the two divisions. "She is leaving after having achieved a great and long-awaited accomplishment," said Gayle Farman, executive director of the New York State Council of Community Behavioral Healthcare. Miller is also departing at a crucial time for an agency that oversees some 1,200 community-based groups, which treat about 120,000 patients a year. Lawmakers appear more serious about amending the Rockefeller Drug Laws to divert drug offenders into treatment. Among names circulating as a possible successor to Miller are John Coppola, executive director of the New York Association of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers, and Robert Bruno, associate commissioner for the division of health and planning services at the substance abuse agency. Bruno is the brother of state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick. Robert Anderson, director of community services in Steuben and Allegany counties, has also expressed interest in the job. Pataki spokesman Michael McKeon said the administration does not discuss personnel decisions until an announcement is made. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom