hr1201_LC_95_0231_a_2.html
08 LC 95 0231
House Resolution 1201
By: Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Carter of the 159th, Parrish of the 156th, and Parham of the 141st

A RESOLUTION


Recognizing and congratulating the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, in 1906, the General Assembly passed an act creating the Office of the Food and Drug Inspector, set forth its duties, and assigned the position to the Georgia State Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, in 1908, the Georgia General Assembly passed another act, separating the Office of the Chief Drug Inspector from the Office of the Food Inspector, and provided that the Commissioner of Agriculture should appoint, upon recommendation of the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy, a Chief Drug Inspector; and

WHEREAS, T. A. Cheatham, a pharmacist, was appointed as the first Chief Drug Inspector whose time was at the disposal of the Commissioner of Agriculture and whose duties were to visit and inspect establishments where drugs were manufactured or sold, to report any violations to the Commissioner, and to perform other duties as assigned by the Commissioner; and

WHEREAS, again in 1939, the General Assembly passed an act providing for the appointment of the Chief Drug Inspector by the State Board of Pharmacy and transferring the position from the Department of Agriculture to the Board of Pharmacy; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1947, the General Assembly passed a series of acts authorizing the Chief Drug Inspector to hire assistant drug inspectors needed to assist with the duties of the office; and

WHEREAS, in 1964, in response to the growing problems in this area, the General Assembly passed another act granting the Chief Drug Inspector and his assistants the authorization and powers possessed by sheriffs, thereby allowing them to arrest violators; and
WHEREAS, in 1976, as a result of a study by the State Merit System the name of the Office of the Chief Drug Inspector was changed to the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency; and

WHEREAS, since its origins in 1908, this agency has been led by only 14 men, all of whom have been pharmacists; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency is currently under the leadership of Director Bill Atkins and Deputy Director Rick Allen, a pharmacist and former president of
the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association, and 2008 marks the agency´s 100th year of inspecting, investigating, and enforcing the narcotic and drug laws of this state.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and honor the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency on the occasion of its 100th anniversary and commend its employees for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of Georgia's citizens.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Director Bill Atkins.