United States Senate Confirms Michael Botticelli as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

Washington, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate confirmed Michael Botticelli as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).  Botticelli is the first ONDCP Director who is in long term recovery from a substance use disorder, recently celebrating 26 years in recovery.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me by the President and Congress to direct this nation’s drug policy,” said Botticelli. “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. 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 to view the 2014 National Drug Control Strategy

Click here to view information relating to the President’s FY2016 Budget on Drug Policy

Biography of Michael Botticelli

Before being nominated to be the Director of National Drug Control Policy, Michael Botticelli served as Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy, beginning in November 2012.

Mr. Botticelli has more than two decades of experience supporting Americans who have been affected by substance use disorders.  Prior to joining ONDCP, Mr. 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 has served in a variety of leadership roles for the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors. He was also 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.

In 2008, Mr. Botticelli was the first recipient of the annual Ramstad/Kennedy National Award for Outstanding Leadership in Promoting Addiction Recovery.  In 2012, he was awarded the Service Award from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors.

Born in Upstate New York, Mr. Botticelli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College and a Master of Education degree from St. Lawrence University. He is also in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder, celebrating more than 26 years.

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