This week, Michael Botticelli was confirmed as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). After already serving for nearly a year in the post as acting ONDCP Director, Botticelli was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on Monday.
Botticelli is the first person in long-term recovery to occupy the role.
“I am honored by the confidence placed in me by the President and Congress to direct this nation’s drug policy,” Botticelli said in a statement. “There are millions of Americans – including myself – who are in successful long-term recovery. Our stories can fundamentally change the way our Nation views people with a substance use disorder, which is a disease needing medical treatment like any other disease.”
Botticelli has more than two decades of experience supporting Americans who have been affected by substance use disorders. Prior to joining ONDCP, Botticelli served as Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where he successfully expanded innovative and nationally recognized prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A champion for substance abuse prevention, Botticelli has forged strong partnerships with local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies; state and local health and human service agencies; and stakeholder groups to guide and implement evidence-based programs. Botticelli is also in long-term recovery from addiction himself, celebrating more than 24 years of sobriety.
In August 2014, when President Obama announced his intent to nominate Botticelli to the director role, CADCA issued a statement of support.
“Mr. Botticelli is the ideal person to hold this important position at this time in our nation. Not only does he understand first-hand the challenges associated with substance abuse, treatment and recovery, he has a keen understanding of the science of prevention and values the important role community coalitions play in preventing and reducing teen drug use,” said CADCA Chairman and CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean in the statement.
CADCA has been fortunate to work with Mr. Botticelli as Acting ONDCP Director. He recently served as the keynote speaker at CADCA’s 25th Annual National Leadership Forum, where he addressed nearly 2,700 community leaders from across the country. He also participated in CADCA’s 2014 Mid-Year Training Institute last summer and spoke to hundreds of young people involved in CADCA’s National Youth Leadership Initiative.
