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Devereux’s Gwen Skinner named board chair of Georgia Council on Substance Abuse

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Vice President of Operations Gwen Skinner was recently selected to serve as board chair of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse.

The council provides education and training on substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery; influences public policy to improve the availability and effectiveness of support services; and provides advocacy to promote the benefits of recovery, and eliminate discrimination against people seeking recovery.

The council’s board of directors named Skinner board chair as a result of her 30-plus years of behavioral healthcare experience in the state. Skinner has served as a member of the board since 2014.

“I have great admiration and respect for the council’s executive director, Neil Campbell, and my fellow board members, and I am truly humbled and honored to take on this new role,” said Skinner. “The mission of the council is to increase the impact of recovery in our communities through education, advocacy, training and peer recovery support services. As chair, I will help lead the board’s efforts to advise the nonprofit on matters related to business strategy, finance and performance. The organization’s board members and staff have a wealth of experience, and are key drivers for system change in the state of Georgia.”

Improving behavioral health, substance abuse services

In September 2019, Skinner was selected to serve on the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission, which was tasked with examining behavioral health services in the state. Read a previous news article on this topic. Skinner says the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse is a strong voice for recovery that can help educate and inform the work of the commission.

“Mental health and substance abuse are critical quality of life issues for the citizens of Georgia,” Skinner explained. “The Behavioral Health Reform Commission is charged with determining the factors that might prevent youth and adults from accessing the state’s mental health services, and examining how those with behavioral health problems can sometimes fall into the criminal justice system. The Council on Substance Abuse is an authority on how substance abuse challenges impact social and criminal justice systems, and works to identify solutions.”

About the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse …

The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, an independent advocacy organization, is guided by the belief that recovery is possible for everyone. The council is dedicated to educating, advocating and creating safe and empowering environments that “support the dignity and value of what’s right and what’s working with individuals, communities and systems.”

Learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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