Debbie Field has been known as the “Idaho Drug Czar” since her appointment by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter in January 2007 to head up the Office of Drug Policy. Her term was set to end in one year, in June of 2012. But circumstances in life change, and Ms. Field just announced that she is resigning from her position so that she can spend more time with her family.
"This is the best job I've ever had," said Ms. Field. "But I really want to go back now and spend some time with family. It's hard to leave a job that you love. It has been an incredible opportunity that has been worth every step on the path." She does hope to still work on some drug policy projects on a contractual basis.
A quick trip through Google shows any number of times that Ms. Field was the spokesperson for the Governor’s office and his task force against drugs. There was a story this past February about a 19 year old who nearly died from snorting fake bath salts. Ms. Field then introduced legislation to make these hallucinogens illegal before more teens could suffer repercussions from them. And back in January 2008, Debbie Field asked lawmakers to approve a $25.5 million budget for substance abuse prevention, which was far higher than the governor had even requested.
Ms. Field served in the House here for six terms, and she was an early advocate for the Idaho Meth Project, which intended to discourage the use of methamphetamine among teens and adults. She coordinated substance abuse strategies and worked towards devising ways for individuals to get necessary treatment. In 2009 she earned the President’s Award from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors for her good work in this regard.
"Debbie has been a dear friend ... and a faithful servant to the people of Idaho for many years," Governor Otter said. "I'm grateful to her and public service will miss her, but I'm glad her advice and counsel will still be close at hand."
It’s time for someone else to step up to the plate.
