Senate Confirms Michael P. Botticelli as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

On Monday, February 9^th, the Senate voted 92-0 to confirm the nomination of Michael P. Botticelli as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).   Mr. Botticelli will be the first ONDCP Director who is in long term recovery from a substance use disorder, recently celebrating 26 years in recovery.

Mr. Botticelli has more than two decades of experience supporting Americans who have been affected by substance use disorders.  Prior to joining ONDCP, Acting Director 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.  He also 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.  These programs include the establishment of a treatment system for adolescents, early intervention and treatment programs in primary healthcare settings, jail diversion programs, re-entry services for those leaving state and county correctional facilities, and overdose prevention programs. 

Mr. Botticelli also served in a variety of leadership roles for the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors; and was a member of the Advisory Committee for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.  He has also co-authored many peer-reviewed articles that have significantly contributed to the substance abuse field.  Born in Upstate New York, Acting Director Botticelli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College and a Master of Education degree from St. Lawrence University.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me by the President and Congress to direct this nation’s drug policy,” said Acting Director Botticelli. “Primary drug prevention has been, and will remain a signature issue for the Obama administration and essential component of National drug control policy moving forward. Whenever possible we prefer to prevent use by our nation’s youth before it even starts.  But there are millions of Americans who have benefited from treatment and are in successful long-term recovery.  Our stories can fundamentally change the way our Nation views people with substance use disorders, which are diseases needing medical treatment like any other disease.  As Director, I will continue to advance a science-based drug policy to reduce drug use and its consequences through a balanced approach to public health and public safety.”  

Click here for the full statement from ONDCP Acting Director Botticelli

Click here for more information on the National Drug Control Strategy