Drug czar position one of Holcomb’s first executive orders

Newly-inaugurated Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb made good on his plan to establish a drug czar position Monday when he signed an executive order on his first official day in office.

The executive director of substance abuse, prevention and enforcement was specifically established to tackle the state’s drug epidemic. Holcomb announced last Tuesday that Jim McClelland, former president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, will serve as the executive director.

A number of Indiana counties have been devastated by a rising tide of drug abuse and addictions. The goal of the new position is to marshal the resources of a number of agencies that have responsibility to fight the drug epidemic.

Holcomb also signed 10 additional executive orders Monday that would continue several bodies and boards established by his predecessors:

– The Governor’s Emergency Advisory Group and other emergency measures;

– The Indiana Toll Road Oversight Board;

– The Indiana State Trauma Care Committee;

– The Office of Public Finance;

– The Indiana State Historical Records Advisory Board;

– WGU Indiana in partnership with Western Governors University to expand higher education opportunities for Hoosiers through online competency-based education;

The Office of State-Based Initiatives;

– The Governor’s Management and Performance Hub;

– The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives;

– Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity.