Technical assistance to State and local agencies.

§ 229. Technical assistance to State and local agencies. (a) The Director shall (1) coordinate or assure coordination of Federal drug abuse prevention functions with such functions of State and local governments; and (2) provide for a central clearinghouse for Federal, State, and local governments, public and private agencies, and individuals seeking drug abuse information and assistance from the Federal Government. (b) In carrying out his functions under this section, the Director may (1) provide technical assistance—including advice and consultation relating to local programs, technical and professional assistance, and, where deemed necessary, use of task forces of public officials or other persons assigned to work with State and local governments—to analyze and identify State and local drug abuse 86 Stat. 73problems and assist, in the development of plans and programs to meet the problems so identified; (2) convene conferences of State, local, and Federal officials, and such other persons as the Director shall designate, to promote the purposes of this Act, and the Director is authorized to pay reasonable expenses of individuals incurred in connection with their participation in such conferences; (3) draft and make available to State and local governments model legislation with respect, to State and local drug abuse programs and activities; and (4) promote the promulgation of uniform criteria, procedures, and forms of grant or contract applications for drug abuse control and treatment proposals submitted by State and local governments and private organizations, institutions, and individuals. (c) In implementation of his authority under subsection (b)(1), the Director may (1) take such action as may be necessary to request the assignment, with or without reimbursement, of any individual employed by any Federal department or agency and engaged in any Federal drug abuse prevention function or drug traffic prevention function to serve as a member of any such task force; except that no such person shall be so assigned during any one fiscal year for more than an aggregate of ninety days without the express approval of the head of the Federal department or agency with respect to which he was so employed prior to such assignment; (2) assign any person employed by the Office to serve as a member of any such task force or to coordinate management of such task forces; and (3) enter into contracts or other agreements with any person or organization to serve on or work with such task forces.