§ 19.23 Education and training.

(a) The commissioner shall have the power to establish such programs
of training and education related to alcoholism, substance abuse, and
chemical dependence as the commissioner shall deem desirable.

(b) The commissioner may grant leaves of absence to employees of the
office for the purpose of receiving training and education for the
better performance of their duties and, with the approval of the
director of the budget, may continue the salaries of such employees, in
full or in part, in an amount not to exceed reimbursement for the loss
of earnings while receiving such training.

(c) The office shall encourage and provide, either alone or in
conjunction with other public or private agencies including
universities, medical schools, and colleges, education and training for
medical students, physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, clinic
or ward attendants, and others involved in public or private prevention
and treatment programs for persons who abuse or are dependent on alcohol
and/or substances and their families.

(d) The office shall sponsor necessary conferences and professional
educational programs relating to alcoholic, alcohol abusing, substance
abusing, substance dependent, and chemically dependent persons and their
families.