Gov. Martin O’Malley signed an Executive Order on Tuesday establishing the new Maryland Drug and Alcohol Council. Although the council was originally established via Executive Order in 2004, the new council will include the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Community Development as voting members, among other changes.

O’Malley was joined by Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene John M. Colmers and Baltimore County’s acting Health Officer Dr. Greg Branch.

“Addiction has taken a toll on nearly every aspect of our society,” said O’Malley in a statement. “Using a comprehensive and collaborative approach, this Council will not only be a forum to address needed solutions, but it will establish the priorities and strategies for addiction services available for Marylanders in need. It is our obligation to ensure that those vulnerable citizens who find themselves in the clutches of addiction receive the adequate treatment they want and deserve.”

“Governor O’Malley’s support of the council will enable us to use resources more effectively and focus on the problem from a broader perspective,” Colmers said in a statement. “This collaboration will enable us to make improvements in how services are delivered, while also focusing our attention on the problem of addiction beyond health care. Involvement of the business community, the school system, and other key partners is critical to ending the grip of alcohol and drug abuse on the lives of Marylanders and their families.”

The council will consist of 10 members of the governor’s cabinet, two members of the general assembly, two members of the judiciary and eight members appointed by the governor.

The General Assembly members on the council will include state Sen. Catherine Pugh (D-Baltimore) and state Del. Kirill Reznik (D-Montgomery County). The members selected from the general assembly were appointed by the state Senate President and state House Speaker respectively.