Coordination of state drug and alcohol abuse programs

All programs conducted by state agencies with respect to drug and alcohol abuse, except the regulation of the sale or dispensation of drugs and related products by the Board of Pharmacy pursuant to Georgia laws and the investigation of criminal conduct pertaining to illegal drugs transferred to the Department of Public Safety shall be coordinated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; provided, however, that any other state agency is not precluded or prohibited from conducting an educational program relating to drug or alcohol abuse. History. — Ga. L. 1972, p. 1069, § 6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878, § 37/HB 1387. 37-7-4. Validity of hospitalization orders entered before September 1, 1978; establishment of regulations authorizing continued hospitalization of patients hospitalized before September 1, 1978. No hospitalization of an alcoholic, drug dependent individual, or drug abuser lawful before September 1, 1978, shall be deemed unlawful because of the enactment of this chapter. The board is authorized to establish reasonable regulations to require that the chief medical officer of each treatment facility apply under Code Section 37-7-83 for an order authorizing continued hospitalization of any patient for whom such hospitalization is necessary and who was initially hospitalized under an order of a court prior to September 1, 1978. Such prior orders of hospitalization entered by the courts, unless superseded at an earlier date by an order under this chapter or unless such prior orders expire under their own terms at an earlier date, shall remain valid until March 1, 1979, after which all such orders shall be null and void and of no effect. History. — Code 1933, § 88-407.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856, § 1. 267 37-7-7 37-7-5. Immunity from liability for actions taken in good faith compliance with admission and discharge provisions of chapter. Any physician, psychologist, peace officer, attorney, or health official, or any hospital official, agent, or other person employed by a private hospital or at a facility operated by the state, by a political subdivision of the state, or by a hospital authority created pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31, who acts in good faith in compliance with the admission and discharge provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his actions in connection with the admission of a patient to a facility or the discharge of a patient from a facility. History. — Code 1933, § 88-402.23, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856, § 1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 996, § 1.