Regina LaBelle, Acting Director for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), recently announced the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities for ONDCP and several new appointments to the office. Ms. LaBelle listed several priorities including advancing the workforce through recovery-ready workplaces and expansion of the addiction workforce, confronting racial equity issues related to drug policy, supporting evidence-based prevention efforts, enhancing evidence-based harm reduction efforts, and expanding access to evidence-based treatment. The announcement noted that Mario Moreno, who previously served as ONDCP’s Press Secretary, will serve as Chief of Staff. Anne Sokolov, who most recently served as Chief of Staff to former Congressman Max Rose (D-NY), will assume the role of Associate Director of Legislative Affairs. Ms. LaBelle also announced two appointments to ONDCP with lived experience. Ariel Britt will serve as Associate Director of Outreach while Tom Hill will join as a Senior Policy Analyst. Both are in long-term recovery and have extensive backgrounds working in the addiction field. Finally, Ms. LaBelle announced that Robert Kent will serve as General Counsel. Mr. Kent is the former General Counsel for the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
- Ann Tucker